THE boat ramp at Old Punt Road on the Clyde River is set to be upgraded as part of a $105,000 funding package from the NSW Government to Eurobodalla Shire Council.
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Bega MP Andrew Constance announced the funding to complete stage one of the upgrade this financial year.
Mr Constance said $33,000 of the funds would go toward a feasibility and development study of recreational boating infrastructure in Batemans Bay and the Clyde River.
“The study will include an assessment of existing infrastructure, future requirements, concept and design, consultation, costings and lists of priorities for future upgrades,” he said.
“Seventy-five thousand dollars in funding will see stage one of the upgrades to the boat ramp at Old Punt Road, Batemans Bay.
“Works include the removal of the existing dilapidated ramp, construction of a new concrete ramp, and reconstruction of the rock walls either side of the ramp.”
The news has produced a mixed response from users of the existing Old Punt Road ramp.
Recreational boat users Craig Cameron and David Hayward, who use the ramp “once or twice every week” are giving it the thumbs up.
“It would make it a lot easier to pull boats in or out,” Mr Cameron said.
“It is a lot harder to launch boats here at low tide. I have seen vehicles having to be towed out.
“Last summer I saw a guy here by himself and I knew he was in trouble so I came down and helped him out. He appreciated it.”
Mr Hayward said “any improvement” was welcome. Batemans Bay Surf Life Saving Club and Broulee Surfers Surf Life Saving Club surfboat crews use the ramp almost everyday.
Batemans Bay sweep Neil Innes likes it as it is.
“We use it a lot and to be honest it really suits us how it is,” he said.
“The sandy bottom makes it perfect for our boat crews, and concrete gets slippery.
“I know they have a duty of care, but the ramp has a lot of history and I hope they leave some of it the same.”