Overview

The plan lists 95 boating facilities in our area that we're responsible for, including their condition audit and actions for upgrades or maintenance. The plan suggests investigating the potential for twelve new recreational boating facilities as part of its action items.

Projects in the plan will be funded by future grants which can be applied for by both Council and community groups.

FUTURE PLANS FOR THE REGION

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BACKGROUND

This plan was developed as a recommendation from the MidCoast Open Space and Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2035 and considered feedback from the community that was provided during this consultation.

Exhibition period

The draft strategy was on public exhibition for community feedback from Thursday 28 March until Sunday 5 May, where we received 37 formal submissions.

The feedback received from the community was considered and some changes were made to the draft document.

The strategy was then adopted by the elected Council at the 26 June 2024 Ordinary Meeting.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Feedback from submissions was mainly concerned with specific locations and the actions recommended in the plan.

There were six submissions regarding the restricted access to the Little Street boat ramp for motorised watercraft.

Seven submissions were made in relation to the boating facilities at Coomba Park expressing the importance of boat ramps during disaster recovery.

Two submissions were made in relation to the silting up of the ramps at the Crowdy Head Marina.

Other submissions were opposing the removal of specific boating facilities at their end of life, as well as maintenance issues at different locations and requests for new recreational boating facilities.

Changes in response to submissions

Based on the feedback received, three extra facilities have been included in the action plan, bringing the total of new recreational boating facilities to twelve from nine. One of the facilities planned for removal at the end of its life has been amended to a long-term replacement reducing the total facilities planned for removal to two from three.

The following actions have been updated and can be viewed in the attached Council report:

• The action plan for the Little Street boat ramp has been adjusted to trial a peak use period restriction during December – January each year, when motorised watercraft will not be able to access the ramp. At all other times all watercraft users will have access. This will remove conflict between users during the peak tourist season. Trial to be evaluated after two years.
• Council and Maritime NSW have acknowledged the silting up of the ramps issue at Crowdy Head Marina. The recommendation to investigate options to relocate the facility in the future.
• No changes were needed in response to the Coomba Park boating facilities as there are already five facilities in the area and there is no need for additional recreational boating facilities in the town.
• Cedar Party, Coolongolook jetty has been amended from ‘remove at end of life’ to a long-term replacement.
• The Hawks Nest jetty has amended actions including investigate extending the ramp for dual access and upgrading of car park.
• A new action was included to investigate the installation of a pontoon or jetty to support the existing boat ramp at John Debert Reserve Frothy Coffee.
• A new action was included to investigate the current use of Elizabeth Beach for boat launching. If supported by both organisations consider the provision of new infrastructure.
• The Coopernook boat ramp action has been changed from no action to improve the slope at the end of the boat ramp.
• The boat ramp at Coomba Park foreshore has an adjusted action from no action required to investigate viability of ramp, including slope and drop-off. Remediate if required.