Ocean Grove’s Barwon River boat ramp will receive a significant upgrade through an initiative with the state government and Better Boating Victoria.
The pontoons will benefit from $250,000 worth of upgrades and is the first of its kind with Better Boating Victoria leading the development in a co-design process with boating stakeholders over the past year.
The state Labor government released its Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy, setting the vision for boating investment and infrastructure until 2030.
The Guiding Government investment in improving recreational boating, the strategy outlines priorities identified by boaters through extensive consultation, including drop-in sessions at key boating locations. A ministerial roundtable was also created to inform the strategy and included industry leaders.
The boat ramp’s manager, the City of Greater Geelong, has previously been provided with $48,000 funding in early 2021 to progress the designs required to upgrade the pontoons at Ocean Grove.
A popular ramp with boaters heading along the Barwon River or out onto the Bass Strait, the facility has been impacted by significant weather events and the ageing nature of the pontoons.
The new pontoons will improve the current functionality of the boat ramp and have greater protection against any future storm, flood, and wind events via the installation of more robust piles to withstand these events.
“The development of this strategy through consultation with boaters ensures our unprecedented investment is funding the right projects in the right places,” Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne said.
“Boaters told us what their priorities were in their regions, and the strategy has acted on that feedback to make boating even better across Victoria – whether it be cheaper, safer or more accessible boating.”
“The Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads area is a bustling tourist destination, and much of that revolves around people wanting to spend time on or by the water,” Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville said.
“Having better boating facilities not only benefits those heading out on the water but also the communities and businesses who rely on tourists visiting the region.”
