Better access to boating ramps is just around the corner at several Victorian waterways with grants awarded to make the area easier to access, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos today announced $700,000 in Recreational Boating Access and Dredging grants through the Labor Government's Better Boating Fund. The fund is created by investing recreational boating licence and registration fees, which are paid by all Victorian boaters.
The grants will be delivered through the Victorian Fisheries Authority's (VFA) Better Boating division - which is currently undergoing the state's biggest ever boat ramp construction program. As part of this program, the VFA is working to ensure launching your boat and parking is free at all of Victoria's public ramps.
A total of seven projects are sharing in the $700,000 funding, which is available to ramp and waterway managers to do dredging work or plan for future work to make their ramps easy to access.
At Mallacoota, East Gippsland Shire Council will use a grant of $150,000 to dredge at the Bastion Point boat ramp. The council will remove sediment accumulating at the ramp, having previously received a Recreational Boating Grant to undertake maintenance on the rock groyne that provides protection from wind and waves.
At Clifton Springs on the Bellarine Peninsula, the City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) will use $135,000 to dredge the entrance to the popular boat harbour and ramp facility. The grant complements previous funding provided to CoGG to conduct a dredging plan and provide more car and trailer parking for boaters.
Frankston City Council will receive $125,000 in funding to again dredge near the boat ramp at the mouth of Kananook Creek. This work occurs multiple times each year as part of an ongoing maintenance program to retain easy boating access onto Port Phillip.
At Anthony's Nose boat ramp near Dromana, dredging using a long reach excavator will be undertaken for the first time by Dromana Foreshore Committee of Management thanks to a grant of $42,000.
The annual channel dredging at Tootgarook boat ramp will be supported through $60,000 in funding, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will receive $128,000 to help address local ramp dredging needs and $60,000 will enable dredging to be planned to reinstate navigable depth at Kirk Point boat ramp.
Since 2021, the Better Boating Fund has seen $102.5 million of recreational boaters' licence and registration fees reinvested into projects and programs to make boating easier, cheaper, safer and more accessible for all Victorians.
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
"These annual dredging grants are a great example of how we're reinvesting recreational boaters' licence and registration fees into projects that improve the experience for everyone, and make getting out on the water easier."
"Having good access to our waterways makes for a great start to any day on the water whether you're fishing, just heading for a cruise or towing a donut with family and friends."
