Better boating facilities are on the way at Mahers Landing, with $4 million allocated through the 2022-23 Victorian Recreational Boating Action Plan for future upgrades.
The Mahers Landing boat ramp is located 6 kilometres east of Inverloch on Anderson Inlet and is a popular launching point for recreational fishers and boaters.
The current facility comprises a shallow gradient, single-lane boat ramp which enables restricted launching by smaller vessels (typically up to 5 metres), generally only at high tides. Informal parking is available, and the site has toilets and fish cleaning facilities.
In 2020 a concept plan to upgrade the Mahers Landing facility was developed with advice and input from recreational boaters and fishers, key management agencies, Bass Coast Shire Council and the broader community.
The concept involved formalising parking at the site and improving the launching and retrieval through a new two-lane ramp.
Since then, civil, and coastal engineers from BMT Australia have been engaged to progress detailed construction ready designs for upgrades at Mahers Landing. As part of their design process, the original concept has been carefully reviewed with some changes made to improve its functionality. Click here to view the updated plans.
The new design features an all-tide, double-lane concrete boat ramp with a jetty, along with a sealed car park with more than 50 formal car and boat trailer spaces including provision for accessible spaces.
One-way anticlockwise traffic flow throughout the facility will ensure simple circulation and the provision of rigging and de-rigging lanes will assist in efficient launching and retrieval of vessels.
The team from Better Boating Victoria, Bass Coast Shire and BMT Australia will continue to progress designs and obtain the necessary permits and approvals to enable construction early in 2023, after the summer peak period.
Click here to view the new concept, finalised in October 2022.
Click here to view the previous concept.
What’s at Mahers Landing?
The current facility comprises a shallow gradient, single lane boat ramp which enables restricted launching by smaller vessels (typically up to 5m), generally only at high tides. Informal parking is available, and the site has toilets and fish cleaning facilities.
Why is Mahers Landing getting an upgrade?
Inverloch continues to grow in popularity as a holiday destination with an increasing number of recreational boaters regularly visiting the area.
The increasing popularity combined with safety issues affecting the town’s existing boat ramp have seen the Mahers Landing facilities identified for upgrading to provide a larger, safer, all tide facility to meet growing demand in the area.
What’s happened already?
In 2020 a concept plan to upgrade the Mahers Landing facility was developed with advice and input from recreational boaters and fishers, key management agencies, Bass Coast Shire Council, and the broader community.
The concept involved formalising parking at the site and improving the launching and retrieval through a new double laned ramp.
Since then, civil, and coastal engineers from BMT Australia have been engaged to progress detailed construction ready designs for upgrades at Mahers Landing. As part of their design process, the original concept has been carefully reviewed and some changes made to improve its functionality. Updated designs are close to being finalised.
Why has the original concept plan changed?
The original concept addressed the issues with functionality and enabled all tide operation however it did not provide any significant improvement to capacity.
The new concept seeks to improve the functionality of the ramp but also significantly increase the capacity of the site.
What does the proposed upgrade include?
The current design features an all tide, double lane concrete boat ramp with a jetty. A sealed car park will feature over 50 formal car and boat trailer spaces including provision for accessible (disabled) spaces.
One-way anticlockwise traffic flow throughout the facility will ensure simple circulation and the provision of rigging and derigging lanes will assist in efficient launching and retrieval of vessels.
What’s changed?
Alterations have been made to the design to provide greater numbers of formalised car and boat trailer parks, the configuration of the ramps has also changed from the western side to the eastern side to improve launching efficiency, traffic flow and accommodate a longer queue.
The double laned ramp itself now extends further out into the water providing all tide access for boats up to 8m in the length and provision has been made for the installation of a jetty to enable temporary on water berthing.
I’m not a boater but I use the Mahers Landing facility. Has there been any consideration for other users such as windsurfers?
The Mahers Landing design has focussed primarily on improving recreational boating however provision has been made for other users.
The existing ramp will remain in place for use by unpowered craft including kayaks and windsurfers and will also enable access to the beach located to the west for walkers and rigging/derigging of windsurfers and other unpowered craft.
Provision for single car spaces have also been included at the front of the site and the public toilets are expected to be relocated and upgraded.
Will cultural and environmental values be protected?
Yes, an independent consultant is preparing a Cultural Heritage Management Plan in consultation with the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Key environmental approvals including an application for Marine and Coastal Act 2018 Consent are being prepared with the Department of Environment, Water, Land and Planning (DELWP).
Will this increase the proportion of time this ramp is operational and by how much?
Yes, instead of high tide access only this new facility will be operational across all tides. In addition, due to its location it will not be impacted by waves and tides to the extent that the Inverloch ramp is. Making it operational more often and in more conditions.
What sized boats will be able to use this facility?
While the facility will generally cater for smaller vessels the design will enable boats up to 8m in length to launch from this site. Car and boat trailer parks have been designed according to Australian Standards and the Victorian Boating Facility Maintenance and Design Guidelines.
Will the Mahers Landing boat ramp be shut during construction works?
Some parts of the facility may have to be shut while construction works are underway to protect contractors and members of the public.
Access to the existing ramp will be maintained where possible which will remain open and operational for most of the construction period for boaters to use.
Construction will also be scheduled during the off-peak period to avoid any major disruption during the peak tourism and boating season.
Where can I launch my vessel if the Mahers Landing ramp is shut?
If the Mahers Landing ramp must be shut completely during construction the Inverloch boat ramp is located only 5 mins away. For more information on local boat ramps please visit www.boating.vic.gov.au
How much funding has been provided?
A total of $4 million has been allocated to this project.
Where has the funding for this project come from?
This facility has been identified through the 2022-2023 Better Boating Victoria action plan as a priority for upgrading and is being funded by the Better Boating Fund. The Better Boating Fund was established in 2021 and invests every dollar of marine licensing and boat registration fees to projects and programs that improve boating safety and facilities.
Will we get regular updates to let us know how the project is progressing?
Regular updates will be provided on the Better Boating Victoria and Bass Coast Shire websites.