Major upgrades, replacements and planning for future works to improve recreational boating facilities throughout WA will go ahead with an increased allocation of $2.5 million in State Government funding.
Ten projects have been successful in securing funding in the latest round of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) managed by the Department of Transport (DoT).
The City of Karratha received the largest allocation with a $700,000 grant to replace the jetty at the popular John's Creek boating facility while the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions secured $653,250 to upgrade the boat launching facility at Canal Rocks Yallingup.
Boat launching at Point Peron will also be made easier with funding of $500,615 for two new additional lanes and reversing bays at the City of Rockingham's launching facility.
Boating facility managers can apply to DoT for grants up to 75 per cent of the estimated project cost, with the maximum amount limited to $750,000.
Applications can be made for the planning, construction or upgrade of boat launching ramps, jetties, moorings and new channels that are directly related to a public boating facility.
Eligible land-based infrastructure at public boating facilities include trailer parking, toilets, fish cleaning stations, lighting and signage.
Increased funding of approximately $1 million for Round 24 of the RBFS follows changes to the timing of application and allocation processes to better align with local government authorities allowing projects to commence without delay in the current financial year.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The majority of projects to be granted funds in the latest round of the RBFS will deliver the main aim of the scheme and provide improved and safer facilities for recreational boat owners throughout WA.
"At Canal Rocks the boat ramp will be replaced and realigned, the toe extended and a new finger jetty constructed. This will allow safer landings and departures, and provide the local Volunteer Marine Rescue with a safer option to carry out rescues in an isolated area.
"The revised timing of the scheme will allow projects to commence quickly and streamline the process for successful applicants. Once again, RBFS funding was highly sought this year, with a total of 20 eligible applications seeking total grant funding of around $5.37 million.
"Boating is an increasingly popular recreational activity and the scheme, introduced in 1998,
allows boat owners to directly contribute as it is partly funded from boat registration fees."
| Applicant | Successful projects in round 24 | Grant |
| City of Karratha | Construction of a new jetty to replace the existing jetty at the John's Creek (Point Samson) boat launching facility. | $700,000 |
| Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | Realignment and upgrade of the boat ramp and jetty at Canal Rocks. | $653,250 |
| City of Rockingham | Installation of two new additional concrete boat ramp lanes and the associated reversing bays at the Point Peron boat launching facility. | $500,615 |
| City of Albany | Construction of a new boat ramp lane and upgrade of the fixed jetty to a floating jetty at the Lower King boating facility. | $220,000 |
| Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley | Planning Study to undertake a detailed engineering design for a floating pontoon jetty structure. | $200,000 |
| City of Albany | Upgrade of the fixed jetty to a floating jetty and modification of the boat ramp lanes at the Emu Point Boat Ramp. | $145,000 |
| Shire of Murray | Planning study at the Batavia Quay boat ramp for a survey and design of a new finger jetty. | $30,000 |
| City of Greater Geraldton | Planning study at Glenfield Beach to improve the existing informal beach launch areas. | $18,750 |
| City of Mandurah | Removal of all current material on the Parkridge boat ramp and replace with waffle panels. | $16,410 |
| Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions | Planning study for a design to replace the existing jetty with a new structure at Sandy Beach Reserve, Bassendean | $15,975 |
