Please select your home edition
Edition
CompareBoatInsurance Leaderboard
Product Feature
Seldén BBB20 TIE ON BLOCK
Seldén BBB20 TIE ON BLOCK

Construction locked in for Cowes boat ramp upgrade

by Victoria State Government 23 Apr 2023 01:18 BST
Cowes boat ramp © Better Boating Victoria

Fishers and boaters will benefit from better facilities and improved access at the iconic Cowes boat ramp, with construction on the project to begin within weeks thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny announced the $2.8 million project tender has been awarded to Bridgewater Marine. The project will extend and raise the existing ramp to provide boaters better access at a greater range of tides and manage sand accumulation.

The adjoining jetty will also be extended to create more space for temporarily tied boats and the lower landing raised to improve access to and from vessels.

Better Boating Victoria has overseen the design of the upgrade alongside Bass Coast Shire Council. Construction is expected to begin in May and will take several months to complete.

While the council oversees the works, boaters are encouraged to use the recently redeveloped Rhyll boat ramp to get out on the water. The $4.5 million ramp was completed last year and features a new three-lane concrete ramp, additional parking and fixed and floating pontoon jetties.

The project is funded through the investment of boating licence and registration fees through the Labor Government's Better Boating Fund and the Government's $96 million investment to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture in Victoria over the next four years.

Better Boating Victoria is also exploring ways to make boating easier at the nearby Newhaven ramp to further boost boating access to Western Port. The facility near Western Port's eastern entrance features two lanes, a fixed jetty and 33 sealed car and trailer parks.

Concept designs for the Western Port project will be released later this year following continued consultation with boaters and user groups.

Better Boating Victoria and Bass Coast Shire Council will hold a drop-in event for boaters and the community to learn more about the Cowes boat ramp project and timelines, on Thursday, 4 May from 4-7pm at Cowes Yacht Club.

Quotes

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny: "Boating is a huge part of life on Phillip Island, which is why we're reinvesting licence and registration fees into projects that make a difference to boaters' experience out on the water."

"A redeveloped ramp at Cowes will complement the completed project at Rhyll - further boosting boating capacity on the island and creating another easy spot to launch."

Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale: "We are investing in boating facilities here on Millowl-Phillip Island and around Western Port because we know how important and valued spending time on the water is for our local and visitor communities."

"The drop-in session on 4 May is open to everyone and is a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the plans, chat with the project team and see how it will make boating easier and more enjoyable."

Related Articles

The Ocean's Logbook amplifies global voices
A digital survey that looks beyond cold statistics to capture real stories A powerful new campaign designed to capture the world's emotional connection to the ocean is being launched today ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June. Posted on 27 May
International 14 Prince of Wales Cup Week overall
No racing on Day 5 in Weymouth A sensible decision was made by the fleet and the race officer to cancel the racing planned for Tuesday and complete the PoW Week a day early, leaving PoW dinner to be a rather more open ended affair than might have otherwise been possible. Posted on 27 May
RS200 Sprints entry closing soon
Waldringfield are hosting on 1st June Entry closes soon for the RS200 Sprints event at Waldringfield - building on the strong fleet at the Easter Egg with 20 boats we are running some dedicated sprint racing comprising fives races back-to-back on the afternoon flood. Posted on 27 May
Shanghai Cup and Bristol Channel IRC Championships
Portishead YC celebrates fourth consecutive win Over two weekends in May, Portishead Cruising Club and Cardiff Bay Yacht Club hosted the annual Bristol Channel IRC Championships. With two legs, one off Portishead and one off Cardiff, the event is attended by crews from across the Bristol Channel. Posted on 27 May
Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Series at Midland
In retrospect a strange experience to have on one's day off Fifteen boats ventured out to Midland Sailing Club to sail in conditions only those with sufficient mettle can tolerate on Sunday 18th May. Posted on 27 May
Yachting World Dayboats at Bosham
Racers discover a part of the harbour the home fleet rarely visit The fourteen-boat fleet that gathered for this year's Bosham SC Yachting World Dayboat Open meeting over the weekend of the 17th and 18th May enjoyed champagne sailing conditions. Four visiting boats joined the home fleet. Posted on 27 May
CIC Normandy Channel Race day 3
Another 6 retirements after the entire day in meaty conditions The 16th CIC Normandy Channel Race fleet has spent the entire day navigating meaty conditions. The 25-30 knots of SW'ly wind and heavy seas in the area have made it a real slog to gain access to the Wolf Rock mark. Posted on 27 May
A Fresh Take on Doublehanded Dinghy Sailing
The Melges 15 delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility The Melges 15 is redefining what sailors can expect from a modern, doublehanded dinghy. Since its launch, the boat has gained momentum across America and Europe for one simple reason — it delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility. Posted on 27 May
Chelmarsh SC visits Dovey SC
Annual weekend away to Aberdyfi Chelmarsh Sailing Club held its annual sailing weekend at Aberdyfi, hosted by Dovey Yacht Club. An event in its 27th year which has become a cherished tradition, offering both racing and camaraderie against the stunning backdrop of the Dyfi estuary. Posted on 27 May
505s at Hayling
Frankly the top reach required more rugby skills than sailing Ten intrepid teams gazed across Chichester Harbour, under the board-stiff flags flying off the Hayling clubhouse — the wind gods offering early hints of what was in store for the weekend: West-South-Westerly winds at 20-24 knots and a big, steep swell. Posted on 27 May