Boat Ramp Improvement Next Steps

A comprehensive concept plan developed by a community group to improve safety and recreational opportunities at the Boat Ramp in the Harbour has been supported by Coffs Harbour City Council.

The Coffs Harbour Regional Boat Ramp Precinct Enhancement Committee (CHRBRPEC), a group of interested stakeholders, approached Council – as the Crown Land Manager for the precinct – earlier this year with a vision for the ‘creation of a first-class boat ramp precinct, that provides a safe launching, retrieval, and parking for trailered water craft, supplemented by a recreational area that has an amenities block, fish and boat cleaning facilities, for use by the local community and visitors to our beautiful coast’.  With Council’s backing, the group produced an analysis of the precinct and prepared a concept plan that reflected that vision, which was presented at last night’s Council Meeting.

“The CHRBRPEC should be congratulated on the fine work they have done in their report and in engaging with the community and all levels of government,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight. “This has been a very positive partnership from the get-go and I’m looking forward to working with them in the future to provide a much better boat ramp area for the community and visitors.”

The CHRBRPEC report contains 10 suggested recommendations:

An enhanced boat ramp entrance including a ‘groyne’ to help reduce siltation and eliminate the need for constant dredging. This enhancement would include consideration of other ramp options if the proposal is not technically feasible. A widened bay and ramp area to accommodate two, double-sided pontoons with provision for 12 boats. A six-boat environmental wash-down facility. More parking for cars, boats and trailers including an expanded area in front of the RED Community building. An accessible toilet and shower/change room facility. Increased capacity for boat rigging and de-rigging. Security cameras, lighting and high visibility computerised illumination signs on sea conditions and current warnings. Improved fish cleaning and waste disposal facility. Recreational seating, tables and BBQs. Redesign of the walking path.

Council also agreed to actively lobby the State and Federal Governments for funding of the enhancements, to work with the new State Government Marine Infrastructure Development Office (MIDO) on including the enhancements in MIDO’s own development priorities and any future draft Master Plans of Management for the Harbour Precinct, and support the establishment of a Regional Boat Ramp Precinct Working Group comprised of representatives from the State Government, Council, CHRBREC and other relevant parties.