BETTER Boating Victoria (BBV) in partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council is delivering significant upgrades to the existing boat ramp facilities across the shire.
Some major infrastructure projects recently completed were Cowes (Nov 2023, $2.8 million) and Rhyll (2022, $6 million) Boat Ramp facility upgrades, with Newhaven the next cab off the rank.
And Inverloch’s boat ramp is also in line for an upgrade as well.
But at its council meeting recently, the Bass Coast Shire Council signed off on Stage 2 of the Mahers Landing Boat Ramp upgrade. The total cost of stage 1 was $4.2 million, totally funded by the State Government and Better Boating Victoria while the total available funding for Stage 2 is $1.59 million.
Mahers Landing Boat Ramp facility upgrade in Inverloch is a significant investment from the State Government’s Better Boating Fund to provide for recreational boating improvements across Victoria.
The project will improve access and safety for the boating community and support the businesses, community groups and social benefits associated with recreational boating.
The works in Stage 2 include:
• Implement and maintain sediment erosion control measures and removal at completion of works.
• Construction of the new carpark facility which will improve traffic flow and include 52 new car-trailer parking bays, and five car parking spaces.
• Construction of a new toilet block.
• Construction of all landscaping elements, footpaths etc.
Council is contributing $150,000 to the total cost of works.
Cr Leticia Laing welcomed the commitment by council and Better Boating Victoria as “an incredible boost for tourism in Inverloch”, upgrading a facility that was overdue for work.
“The $150,000 we will contribute will upgrade the toilets at Mahers Landing,” she said, noting they were also sorely in need of upgrading.
The Better Boating Fund returns license and registration fees paid by boaters into delivering major ramp upgrades, more all-abilities boating facilities, grants programs to boost boating access, boating safety initiatives and much more.
The proposed Mahers Landing Boat Ramp Facility Upgrade project was broken into two parts to allow the project to be constructed in two parts if the funding allocation for the entire project was exceeded at time of tender.
• Part 1: Construction of a new boat ramp, rock revetement and jetty.
• Part 2 Upgrade of the car park, new toilet block and associated landscaping works.
Newhaven Boat Ramp
A draft concept has been developed for the future upgrade to the Newhaven boat ramp and BBV is asking the community for feedback.
Some of the issues to consider include:
• Lack of space and configuration of berthing and tie up points
• Limited car-trailer unit parking
• Tide restrictions, particularly at low tide
• Existing jetty poses challenges in terms of accessibility
BBV is now seeking your feedback on the draft concept design, which you can view at betterboating.vic.gov.au/consultations/newhaven.
The survey, to close on January 19, 2024 is available at surveymonkey.com/r/YGQS2M9.
