Cowes boat ramp set for construction

THE Cowes boat ramp is set for construction with the project to begin within weeks after the tender was awarded to Bridgewater Marine at shire’s April council meeting.  

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny announced the $2.8 million project will extend and raise the existing ramp to provide boaters better access at a greater range of tides and manage sand accumulation.

The adjoining jetty will also be extended to create more space for temporarily tied boats and the lower landing raised to improve access to and from vessels.

Better Boating Victoria has overseen the design of the upgrade alongside Bass Coast Shire Council and construction is expected to begin in May, taking several months to complete. 

While the council oversees the works, boaters are encouraged to use the recently redeveloped Rhyll boat ramp to get out on the water.

The $4.5 million ramp was completed last year and features a new three-lane concrete ramp, additional parking, and fixed and floating pontoon jetties.

During last week’s shire meeting, Cr Ronnie Bauer said, “after our successful co-build with Boating Victoria at Rhyll and Newhaven, we now are going into the building stage of the Cowes boat ramp better known as the Anderson Street boat ramp.” 

“I have had the privilege of being involved with this project since its inception. Though not all the feedback has been incorporated into the final build some key deficiencies should be rectified by this build. The biggest one being the use of the jetty. At present, it is too short and at high tide its completely under water.

“The elevating of the actual ramp should improve the launching of some craft but due to the shallowness of the gradient, larger boats will always have a problem especially at low tide.”

“Unfortunately, the recommendation from the community to widening the ramp from two lanes to three lanes was not included in the final plans. I am not a hydrologist, so I am very curious to see if the new design of the ramp will alleviate the problem of the sand build up which currently needs to be cleared daily.

“Having said all that, and being a boatie, the new ramp should be a vast improvement on what is there currently,” concluded Cr Bauer.

The project is funded through the investment of boating licence and registration fees through the State Government’s Better Boating Fund and the Government’s $96 million investment to improve fishing, boating, piers, and aquaculture in Victoria over the next four years.

Better Boating Victoria is also exploring ways to make boating easier at the nearby Newhaven ramp to further boost boating access to Western Port. The facility near Western Port’s eastern entrance features two lanes, a fixed jetty and 33 sealed car and trailer parks.

Concept designs for the Western Port project will be released later this year following continued consultation with boaters and user groups.

Better Boating Victoria and Bass Coast Shire Council will hold a drop-in event for boaters and the community to learn more about the Cowes boat ramp project and timelines, on Thursday, May 4 from 4-7pm at Cowes Yacht Club.