Batemns Bay Floating Pontoons - CBD

 Andrew Constance confirms that the CBD floating pontoons that the Association has for so long been advocating for will be installed as part of the Batemans Bay Bridge Project.

Minister Constance in a Press release this morning Monday 23 Nov 2020 confirmed that the additional work associated with the bridge will be completed in 2023.

With reference to the bridge schedule he said: “Work is also continuing on the new southern and northern foreshores – which will include a public artwork, a mural, a children’s playground and a new floating pontoon on the southern side. The project is expected to be complete in 2023.”

Mr Watson Smith from the Associations welcomes this announcement that the cost of this development will come from the Bridge project and not from the boater's licence fees in the Boating Now Fund.

“The floating pontoons will be an asset to the Bay which all locals and visitors may enjoy. It will facilitate both sailing and other vessels docking right along side the hopefully upgraded and activated foreshore. This brings an added attraction to our waterfront which remain isolated from road access.”

There are a few more pieces to this picture to be announced namely; The upgrade of the dilapidated concrete T-wharf to a fully featured fishing platform with lights, seats, water and fish cleaning tables and recycle bins. This will make it fisho and visitor friendly.

Secondly the upgrade of the southern side boat ramp with pontoons and boater friendly facilities to make it more accessible to the elderly and less mobile who just want to enjoy a day on the beautiful Clyde waterway.

Thirdly the northern Punt Road boat ramp will require extensive remodelling now the new bridge dominates the area with boat trailer friendly roads , wash down areas and suitable parking facilities for the expected surge in demand as a result of the increased visitor arrive.

The Batemans Bay Boaters Associations welcomes the local Minister renewed interest in the marine infrastructure now that he is in charge of Maritime and the Infrastructure delivery office.

 Clyde Street boatramp to be closed permanently by the Council's CBD Foreshore Plan has been closed to build the bridge. We all accept that but what has become of the Councils Foreshore Draft Plan? It was proposed to be put before Council this month for endorsement. Lets hope they are waiting for the Minister to announce that he has found some money to enhance the facility to everyone's benefit.

Andrew Constance has today announced $7.1 Million for the Tathra Wharf to be upgraded. This comes on top of previous funding to repair the wharf.

Mr Constance said “Tathra Wharf is an icon and a recreation and tourism magnet that offers a great spot for fishing or a bite to eat, taking in the sweeping coastline views and marine life, or just enjoying a weekend promenade to get some sun and fresh air,”

Could the same be said for BB Foreshore and the iconic boatramp?

Well done Minister keep looking for funds.

Floating Pontoons in Batemans Bay CBD

 Andrew Constance the local Member and Minister for Transport which includes Maritime has this morning announced that the floating pontoons east of the concrete T-Wharf which the Association has been advocating to be built for a number of years will go ahead.

Thanks Minister for listening and heeding the logical Community support for this interface between the CBD and our great water the Clyde River.

In the Statement he said: "The community will begin to notice work beginning on foreshore improvements like the floating pontoon, which will deliver more boat berths than originally proposed and better access to the CBD.

“Survey and design work is being carried out for the pontoon which will be located downstream of the existing T-wharf, on the CBD side of the river,” Mr Constance said.

“The pontoon will improve access to the foreshore and town centre and increase berthing opportunities for river users when it opens for use.”

The attached artiest impression clearly shows how more activity will take place on the Batemans Bay Foreshore and re-energise this area. All the Association wishes for is for Council in the new Draft Plan for the Foreshore is to maintain the Clyde Street Boat Ramp and place a pontoon adjacent to this to assist less able boaters and fishers use their boats and access the proposed pontoons on the foreshore and the upper reaches of the Clyde River.

Foreign Vessel up the Clyde River

 This is a new foreign vessel up the river. Did you notice? Yes the Singaporean registered barge came out of survey a few weeks ago and was required to travel to Brisbane for an out-of-water survey.

Did it? No The contractor requested a further extension to the already out of date survey but the Singapore authorities said no.

So what did the John Holland (Transport for NSW) do? Simple register the vessel in the Cooke Islands without a survey. Why? Because the safety and environmental requirements for a Cooke Island vessel are much lower and less strict. So this working platform for all the tradies may not be safe and the water discharge requirements are just not the same.

Thankfully AMSA has taken a hard line on foreign vessels entering Australian waters over the last few months banning 4 vessels from our port because they are not safe and not compliant. Will AMSA visit the 1807 barge and check the safety equipment and working conditions?

Will the local Member and Minister for Maritime condone unsafe working conditions from his subcontractors just to finish the bridge?

Questions. Questions but as always we never get straight answers.

Labor Shadow Minister for Crown Lands visits Marina

 Labor Shadow Minister for Crown Lands Ms Tara Moriarty MLC visited Batemans Bay to view for herself some of the issues confronting fishers and boaters. Accompanying her were the Vice President of the Recreational Fishing Alliance Max Castle and President of the BB Boaters Association.

The Liberal Minister for Crown Lands initiated a report submitted four years ago to the Department outlining more than 50 non-compliance issue covering safety, fire and electrical non-conformity at the marina. The Department has since commissioned three external engineering report and one internal report arising from the Associations 6,500 word submission.

In June 2020 the Department still would not confirm that all the issues have been addressed and that the marina is safe for the public to use. The ongoing safety and non-compliance issues at the Marina were explained to the Shadow Minister as was the lack of response from the local Liberal Minister. The Department of Crown Land's conduct has been brought into question.

The opening of the northern shore boat ramp at old Punt Road for river users has, even during the first week, not been a great success with a river punt sinking in the rough and unsuitable conditions as it traversed the channel from Hanging Rock to the middle reaches of the Clyde River. If it was not for the quick actions of one of the public to alert the police and Marine Rescue the two occupants may well have been swept out to sea clinging to their upturned vessel. Hanging Rock boat ramp is not a suitable launching location for low free-board river vessels. The movement of the smooth water limits to the end of the break-wall was only implemented so John Holland could claim that an alternative boatramp was available to boaters and fishers. Thankfully the current disaster did not turn into a tragedy.

Shadow Minister stated it was a productive meeting covering many issues involving the use of Crown Lands along the CBD foreshore. She was concerned about the safety at the BB Marina and the lack of response by the Department.

The removal of the Clyde Street boat ramp also located on Crown Lands, while a local issue managed by Council would require Crown Lands involvement and the Minister’s approval. She will be following the final recommendation which are likely to again come before Council next month.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance and the Boaters will be consulting widely as these issues develop. Does the closing of the boatramps west of the bridge impact you?

Clyde Street Boat Ramp Parking

 Use the Clyde Street boat ramp while you can because the new bridge is growing southwards at an alarming rate. You will be lucky to find a park. As always John Holland subcontractors and employees take up all available spaces for most of the day.

Council Presentation - No Response - Why?

The BB Boaters Association made a presentation to Council regarding NOT removing the Clyde Street boat ramp. We offered all Counsellors an opportunity to visit the site and to talk directly with boaters and fishers about the facts and our vision for an activated foreshore and the use of the ramp.

Did any Counsellor contact us? NO not on your life would they be seen to find out the facts because there would be consequences within the Council.

The boat ramp is about to be closed by John Holland to continue building the bridge safely. We understand you cant make an omelette without breaking and egg but a boat ramp? You can put it back together again better with more facilities like floating pontoons. Why not?