Deb Keeley, of the Batemans Bay Sailing Club, said the announcement by NSW Transport and Infrastructure Minister and Bega MP Andrew Constance, on Thursday, January 31, was a relief.

“From our perspective it’s a public safety issue as well as an infrastructure issue,” she said.

“It’s not just about getting boats in here to spend money, so many mariners are being caught out and there’s just nowhere for them to go to.”

She said the issue began in spring of 2018.

“At the beginning of spring we were going in and out pretty easily on a rising tide, but at the moment, we’re having to wait for the tide of the month and we have one or two days to get in and out,” she said.

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Batemans Bay Marina manager, Daimon Martin, said the dredging would “dramatically increase safety”.

“The dredging of the bar allocated funds mean a lot of release of stress around public safety,” he said.

“For transient vessels and local boaters who travel the horizon highway, it means to be able to access a safe harbour and a safe port to come into.

“There a flow on effects to our local economy, as well as the marina, but the safety of boating in the area will be dramatically increased.

“Volunteer Marine Rescue, Roads and Maritime, the Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries, all of those vessels will be able to cross the bar and complete their work, whether it’s managing the Batemans Marine Park or assisting vessels in distress.”

Mr Constance thanked the boating community.

“I want to thank the boating community and the marina who have highlighted concerns about the bar, which was dredged in 2016,” he said.