THE Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos recently visited the Werribee South boat ramp to announce the latest round of funding from the Better Boating Fund investing $36.3 million in major infrastructure upgrades across Victoria, as well as significant ramp maintenance and dredging to optimise the functionality of ramps.

In addition to improvements at Werribee, the Better Boating Fund will support construction of major facility upgrades at Geelong’s Limeburners Point, Schnapper Point at Mornington, Tooradin and Port Welshpool.

Since 2021 nearly $140 million has been returned to recreational boating including more than 50 ramp upgrades such as St Leonards, Lake Bullen Merri, Clifton Springs and Inverloch.

“This is great for local communities and will benefit local economies, by reeling in more visitors to the regions,” said Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos.

“We know Victorians cherish time spent on the water. Having user-friendly facilities, better access through dredging and convenient locations to launch helps to create an even better boating experience.”

Port Welshpool

Port Welshpool boat ramp has been identified for a future upgrade to provide better access for boaters of all abilities. The ramp provides access to Corner Inlet and is managed by the South Gippsland Shire Council. The site consists of a three-lane boat ramp, fixed jetty and a modular plastic floating pontoon.

Upgrade objectives: At the boat ramp it is proposed to provide an accessible pontoon that enables safe and unobstructed recreational boating access to members of the community with disability and mobility impairments.

This project will upgrade the existing gangway and pontoon to provide an accessible boating facility. An accessible boating facility is one which satisfies accessibility requirements such as:

* Unassisted access for disabled persons for 80% of the time (maximum 1:14 gangway slope)

* Assisted access for disabled persons for the remainder of the time (maximum 1:8 gangway slope)

This project is subject to funding approval.

Tankerton

The Tankerton Boat Ramp is being upgraded to make it safer for recreational boaters.

The Tankerton Boat Ramp, located on French Island, is being improved to support greater use. The upgrade is thanks to the Victorian Government’s Better Boating Fund, which reinvests recreational licence and registration fees into projects and programs across the state.

Ramp upgrades at Tankerton include reshaping the rock causeway which will be covered with concrete blocks, creating a better, more wave resilient surface for vessels to launch from.

The old ramp has been demolished and new, pre-fabricated concrete panels have been installed.

The western and northern launching ramps are now complete, with the remainder of the project to focus on protecting the batters of the ramp groyne.

Work was due to be completed in May.

Lang Lang

Upgrades to the Lang Lang boat ramp were due to commence in April.

A new concrete boat ramp will be laid down at the facility and a jetty will be built so boaters can tie their vessel up when launching and retrieving.

Simpsons Construction will undertake the work, which is expected to be complete in early spring.

The new ramp has been designed to be longer and steeper, while the jetty will be more accessible for boaters of all mobility levels.

The ramp will remain functional at high tides only, given the significant tidal range and flat seabed in the area. While construction is underway, boaters will be able to launch at nearby ramps such as Grantville, Corinella or Tooradin.

Newhaven

Planning and design underway.

Corinella

Next steps as follows: Following consultation with the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, opportunities for land reclamation immediately west of the boat ramp have been identified to provide formalised car and trailer parking and improve all-abilities facilities. The upgrade will create greater car and trailer unit capacity and increased efficiency through the use of land reclamation and incremental upgrades of existing infrastructure.

The next steps are to engage with the Corinella Foreshore Committee of Management and conduct public consultation on a concept plan.