Christmas comes early for boaters in Apollo Bay

The Apollo Bay boat ramp has been upgraded just in time for summer, making it safer and easier for boaters and fishers to get out on the water.

On Monday 9 December, Better Boating Victoria CEO Gary Gaffney joined representatives from Colac Otway Shire Council today to unveil the $850,000 upgrade, funded by the Victorian Government and council.

The upgrade includes extending the pavement to provide improved access for boat trailers, including an improved fish gantry with a new concrete slab approach to the boat ramp and new line markings.

A new water service has also been built and connected from the south east corner of the existing wash down slab to improve cleaning facilities for boats.

The upgrade will also mean boaters and fishers will have an improved launching and retrieving experience when they enter the water.

The boat ramp car park has also been upgraded including re-sealing, new kerb and stormwater drainage including line marking and concrete paving.

The Victorian Government has worked closely with Colac Otway Shire Council and provided $689,547 in funding through the Boating Safety and Facilities Program.

It comes as the Victorian Government has committed $47.2 million in the 2019-20 budget to improve boating in Victoria. This includes removing parking and launching fees at public boat ramps in Victoria, upgrading boating facilities at Queenscliff, Point Richards, Hastings, Rhyll, Cowes Jetty and Mordialloc and reviewing how boating infrastructure is managed in Port Phillip and Western Port.

The local port of Apollo Bay and the boat ramp is an important facility located in Victoria’s south-west. The Victorian Government has also recently invested $1.3 million to carry out works including the dredging of the main harbour channel to improve access for boats. The harbour generates $6.5 million annually for the local economy. It also provides safe berthing and mooring for around 40 vessels, including two for tourist charters.