Annual report given on boating plan

NSW Roads and Maritime Services has given its annual report about implementing the Regional Boating Plan that covers Brisbane Water.

The plan does not appear to include any expenditure on priority projects around the Peninsula and does not resolve the issue of the narrowing of the entry to Brisbane Water, although it includes upgrades to boat ramps, pontoons and parking at Koolewong.

The plan, which was released in February 2015 and also covers Pittwater and the Hawkesbury River, identified the boating safety, access and infrastructure action across the region to be implemented over the next five years.

Progress reports were to be published annually and funding for infrastructure projects was to be allocated out of the NSW Boating Now program announced by the NSW Minister for Roads and Freight in August 2014.

In the five years prior to the release of the report, there had been no bar crossing incidents at Little Box Head, the entrance to Brisbane Water.

Significant strain on the capacity of access points to Brisbane Water was identified as a key issue in the report.

"The capacity of car and trailer parking does not meet demand at most access points," the report said.

According to the report, between 2005 and 2014, the NSW Government kicked in around $160,000 funding under the Better Boating Program for: a public wharfs and boat ramp usage study; the investigation for the new public ferry wharf at Ettalong; the Lions Park Boat Ramp Pontoon at Woy Woy; and the Woy Woy Town Centre Wharf user study design; along with other non-Peninsula projects around Brisbane Water.

The demand for waterfront property and the extent of National Parks in the area means "locations for the development and expansion of car and trailer parking facilities to service boat ramps, wharves and jetties and mooring areas are scarce.

"Given these constraints it is vital that the existing boating access facilities are closely reviewed with the view to further optimise and upgrade," the plan said.

Through the plan the NSW Government also made a commitment to "Continue support for the Rescuing Our Waterways dredging program".

Media release, 7 Oct 2016

Cassandra O'Connor, RMS NSW

Transport for NSW, February 2015

Regional Boating Plan, Hawkesbury River, Pittwater and Brisbane Water Region

Reporter: Jackie Pearson