Finally the ramp to the floating pontoon was put in place late this afternoon
The pontoons look very good with cleats and bollards being installed to secure vessels. The piles are inside the pontoons to reduce damage to vessels coming along side. A kayak docking is to be installed on the western side
Read the Associations document promoting the installation of these pontoons here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eKD3UEATbZdY3xYcdnfi8axkTFN-4VhC/view?usp=sharing
PM sends clear message to ESC Council
If reelected we are offering $20 mil marine infrastructure grants to improve facilities for fishos, boaties and campers he stated. In a press appearance delivered at a boating super store on the mid north coast of NSW in the marginal seat of Robertson the Prime Minister highlighted the importance this sector of the market brings to local councils especially those like Eurobodalla located along the coast.
He stated ”Recreational fishing has significant economic and regional benefits – it’s good for regional tourism, creates local jobs and supports small and family businesses. Recreational fishing delivers over $1.8 billion to the economy every year.”
He went on to state ”We are also committed to maintaining our robust Australian Marine Park network in its current form, to provide certainty to our fishers.”
Please note this last statement and we will see if the NSW Government hears his message.
While this announcement is just an extension of the $2.1 mil grants offered by DPI in January of this year 2022 – see the Facebook post by the Batemans Bay Boaters Association here (https://www.facebook.com/BBBoaters) it does highlight the Federal Government commitment to this sector.
Mr Watson Smith of the BB Boaters Association speculates that DPI may have been overwhelmed by the scramble for money for boat ramps and other facilities and that the Prime Minister “read the room” and has offer a huge bucket of money to support boaters and fishers during this election.
“I can see the local Liberal candidate for Gilmore committing money to the local boat ramp upgrades to promote his chances at this Federal election – unfortunately he has to work through the local Council Director. So don't expect much to be delivered.”
When the Association offered to assist Council in highlighting the opportunities at the last grant funding cycle they received the standard brush-off letter from the Infrastructure Support Coordinator who had not even done the basic of investigations of the past work the Association had undertaken since 2015. No information was forthcoming regarding what Council had applied for, if any at all.
The Boaters Association has again offered to assist Council identify where the latest funds could be well applied based on our local boating knowledge but Council need the public's help.
The Prime Minister’s press release request their assistance quote: “If you know of a location that would benefit from new or improved fishing, boating or camping facilities in your area, you can contact your local council to advocate for their application to this program.” The appropriate Minister’s Office contact number is 0408 819 399
Brierleys Boat Ramp Upgrade – delayed yet again
Council received $700,000 from the Boating Now fund for the upgrade to the Moruya River boat ramp located at Brierleys which is adjacent to the airport. This was announced in July 2020 with much fanfare and the obligatory photo opportunity by the then local member and Minister for Transport, the manager of Maritime, - the collector of boat licences from which this grant was extracted.
Those present were the Director Eurobodalla Shire Warren Sharp, the ex-Mayor, the Maritime contingent and Andrew Constance the current candidate for Gilmore (he resign this portfolios and as local member last year). The announcement indicated that the upgrade was imminent.
In October 2021 – last year, the attached plan was discussed with the Boaters Association to get local knowledge input on the design. Time was spent making major adjustments to the proposed layout and questioning the lack of a floating pontoon and wastewater pollutant trap. The chief Shire engineer assured the Association adjustments would be made and further discussion would take place prior to construction early in the new year – 2022.
The Association was not happy that Boating Now funds have been misallicated from boating infrastructure to tourist facilities which should be provided by the Shire under their responsibility as managers of this area. The $700,000 is being spent on upgrading the only public toilet facility in the area, installing a picnic shelter, a historic information sign, relocating and installing a rubbish bin and landscaping with paths and resurfacing the car park.
What do the fishers and boaters get from our money – an upgraded fishing table and maybe a jetty. Total cost maybe $80,000.
The Association wrote to Mr Andrew Constance while he was still the local Member who flicked the letter to the interim Maritime Minister who passed it on to the new Minister who delegated the response to the Local Principle Manager Maritime Infrastructure who stated: that they will ensure that “project are delivered in according with the grant conditions…” and that the pollutant trap and pontoons are still part of the project.
Members and friends of the Association have undertaken further investigation and looked at what can be included in boat ramp facilities and amenities under this grant. It appears that Picnic Shelters and barbeque facilities are clearly not funded from Boating Now funds and the other enhancements proposed at Brierleys are questionable.
The Association is continuing the communication with Maritime but nothing has been heard from the Shire. Is this yet another promise to use our money yet there is no delivery and tourist facilities at that?
Should your licence fees via Boating Now grants be used for tourist facilities which the Shire should be providing?
