Boating facilities in Esperance and Hopetoun set to be improved with State funding
![Thanks to funding the Bandy Creek boat ramp fixed finger jetty in Esperance is set to be replaced with a floating pontoon.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-12952786/271ed321328e94fa82e0d6655531bdc2c24c6af8-16x9-x0y300w5760h3240.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Recreational boating facilities in Esperance and Hopetoun are set to be improved following the allocation of $2.73 million in State Government grants across WA.
From Wyndham to Esperance, seven projects have been successful in securing funding in the latest round of the Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme managed by the Department of Transport.
The department will use more than $300,000 to replace the boat ramp fixed finger jetty at Bandy Creek Boat Harbour in Esperance with a floating pontoon.
The current fixed timber finger jetty at the boat ramp is at the end of its design life of 40 years.
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READ NOWReplacing the fixed jetty with a wider, floating pontoon jetty will improve accessibility for boat users at the ramp by making it easier get on and off vessels in all tidal conditions.
Being a floating pontoon, there also less risk of damage to vessels as they come alongside.
The project will be delivered within approximately 18 months.
The Shire of Ravensthorpe will spend $45,000 on a planning study to assess the suitability of boat launching at Hopetoun’s main beach, Mason Bay and Starvation Bay.
Shire chief executive Matthew Bird said the Shire was pleased to receive the funding for the study.
“They are all popular spots and the review aims to determine suitable service levels to meet community needs and identify suitable options to upgrade,” he said.
“The review will be carried out in the 2024-2025 financial year.”
The majority of the $2.25 million in State funding will be spent on boat ramp upgrades, with the City of Rockingham undertaking a refurbishment at Palm Beach West, the Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley replacing the Wyndham northern boat ramp, and the department improving the Denham boat ramp and jetty.
Minister assisting the Minister for Transport David Michael said the funding was keenly sought this year, with 14 eligible applications made.
“Boating is an increasingly popular recreational activity and the funding allocated to plan and upgrade facilities will have big benefits for users, including improved safety and efficiency that will ease ramp waiting times especially during peak periods,” he said.
“The RBF scheme, established in 1998 to assist in the planning and development of public boating facilities including upgrades to existing infrastructure, allows boat owners to directly contribute as it is partly funded from boat registration fees.”
Boating facility managers can apply to the department for grants up to 75 per cent of the estimated project cost, with the maximum amount limited to $750,000.
Applications can be made for the planning, construction or upgrade of boat launching ramps, jetties, moorings, and new channels that are directly related to a public boating facility.
Eligible land-based infrastructure at public boating facilities includes trailer parking, toilets, fish-cleaning stations, lighting and signage.
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