Applications open for grants to improve boat ramps

COMPLETED works at Ocean Grove are being touted as an exemplar of what is possible under the latest round of a state grants program.

Earlier this week, the Victorian government announced up to $3 million in total would be available via two streams in the Recreational Boating Grants Programs, and that applications were now open.

Up to $2 million will be made available for ramp managers to repair or replace pontoons, resurface ramps or upgrade gangways through Structural Maintenance Grants. The maximum grant amount available is $300,000.

Last year, $1.7 million was awarded to 13 projects from across Victoria, including the recent refurbishment of the northern pontoon at Ocean Grove, resurfacing the ramp at Lake Fyans, building a new concrete ramp at Rocky Valley Dam near Falls Creek and undertaking repairs to facilities at Rye, Tooradin and Marlo.

A local ramp in line for works but not yet complete is St Leonards, with the Victorian government releasing final concept plans for upgrades released following consultation with boaters and the community.

The ramp is popular with local and visiting boaters targeting a range of fish including whiting, calamari and gummy shark at the southern end of Port Phillip.

Up to $1 million is also on offer in the program through the Dredging and Access Grants to allow ramp and waterway managers to plan and undertake dredging works with a maximum grant amount of $150,000.

In 2021-22, nearly $700,000 was awarded to 10 dredging projects throughout Victoria, from the Gippsland Lakes to Lake Fyans in the state’s west.

Other projects included dredging at Tootgarook and Half Moon Bay in Port Phillip, and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water carrying out dredging at Lake Lonsdale and Lake Fyans.

Both grant programs are funded through reinvesting boaters’ registration and licence fees as part of the Victorian government’s Better Boating Fund.

The grants will be overseen by Better Boating Victoria, which is progressing the state’s biggest boat ramp construction program and continuing to ensure launching and parking is free at all public ramps in the state.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny and Bellarine MP Alison Marchant visited the Ocean Grove boat ramp earlier this week to announce the latest grants.

“We’re reinvesting the registration and licencing fees from boaters into projects that upgrade infrastructure and improve access to our waterways,” Ms Kilkenny said.

Having high-quality facilities and easy access are vital for recreational boaters and the second year of these grants will help make spending time on the water easier for families across the state.”

“Boating is a huge part of life here on the Bellarine, particularly during summer when families flock to this beautiful part of the world,” Ms Marchant added.

“Quality facilities make it even more enjoyable.”

For more information about eligibility or to apply, head to betterboating.vic.gov.au