THE NSW Minister for Roads and Ports, Duncan Gay, has announced more than $5.4 million in grants for new and improved boating facilities.
Minister Gay said the funding allocated under the Better Boating Program (BBP) will support 66 projects in regional NSW as well as five boat ramps and other boating facility upgrade projects in Sydney Harbour.
“The Better Boating Program grants are about planning for the future and making sure the community has safe access to facilities which help them get out and about on our waterways,” Minister Gay said.
“The BBP supports local councils, boating clubs and other agencies to make recreational boating facilities safer, more accessible and able to cater for increased demand. The program funding includes revenue raised from boat registrations and licences,” he said.
Minister Gay made the announcement at Windsor in western Sydney where the boat ramp jetty at Governor Phillip Reserve will be upgraded in partnership with Hawkesbury City Council. Local Members Kevin Conolly (Riverstone) and Bart Bassett (Londonderry) welcomed the $180,000 grant with the Mayor of Hawkesbury Shire Council Kim Ford.
“This is a great boost to the local boating community in what is a very popular boat ramp on the Hawkesbury,” Mr Conolly said.
Also included in the 2013-14 allocation of BBP grants are:
- $130,000 awarded to Clarence Valley Council for a new pontoon and the upgrade of an existing amenities facility at McLachlan Park riverside, Macleay.
- $246,075 awarded to Walgett Shire Council for an upgrade of the existing boat ramp, parking area and access road at the Walgett boat ramp.
- $550,000 awarded to Wyong Shire Council as additional funding for the replacement of the Norah Head boat ramp. Funding in 2013 / 14 is in addition to BBP funding of $620,000 previously awarded to council for the project.
- $202,475 awarded to Liverpool City Council for additional work in the upgrade of the boat ramp facility at Davy Robinson Reserve, Moorebank.
- $245,000 awarded to Bega Valley Shire Council for the rebuilding of the existing boat ramp, replacement of the old timber jetty with a new pontoon and enlargement of the ramp approach at the Wonboyn Lake Boat Ramp, Wonboyn.
- $65,250 awarded to Murray Shire Council for the upgrade of the Moama Wharf at Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama.
For more information on BBP and boating infrastructure grants, go to http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/mpd/infra_grants.html
