Rose Bay boat ramp to undergo $1 million upgrade

The Rose Bay boat ramp at Lyne Park will undergo a major revamp at the end of the month, with 100 per cent funding from Roads and Maritime Services Better Boating program funding, Roads and Maritime Services Maritime Director Tony Middleton said.

Mr Middleton said the $1.165 million project would deliver a much wider ramp and two attached pontoons that would improve the safety and convenience of launching, loading and unloading vessels.

“The new wider ramp will make reversing boat trailers much easier than the current facility,” Mr Middleton said.

“The layout of the pontoons will provide wave protection to shelter the ramp from boat wash and wind waves which will further improve safety.”

The work is set to begin on 30 April and estimated to take 13 weeks until early September, weather permitting.

The temporary closure is necessary due to the need for a total reconstruction of the boating facility.

“The works have been scheduled to take place outside the boating season. I think boat owners will be pleased with the end result,” Mr Middleton said.

Woollahra Mayor Susan Wynne welcomed the project.

“Up until now we have only ever been able to fund boat ramp maintenance,” Cr Wynne said.

“It is great to see the State Government committing the funds for a much needed overhaul of the entire ramp to benefit boat owners.”

Alternative boat ramps to use during the upgrade include: Taplin Park boat ramp at Drummoyne or Bayview Park boat ramp in Hen and Chicken Bay.

For alternative launching facilities in Sydney Harbour, please refer to the Maritime facilities locator at http://www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/locator.html

The works will be fully funded by Roads and Maritime Services grants from the Better Boating Program. This is comprised of grants of $350,000 from 2010/11 and $800,000 in 2011/12 towards this project.

A grant of $300,000 was previously awarded under this Better Boating Program in 2008/09 to assist with car/trailer upgrade at the site, which was completed in 2011. Car only parking improvements, close to the boat ramp and ferry wharf will not be finalised until all works in the area are complete and these works will be funded by Council.