Better boating on the Bellarine

BOATING will be made easier and more accessible for those on the Bellarine with 35 Recreational Boating Grants being awarded to local ramps and waterway managers to help get more locals on the water.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny and Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant on Wednesday (April 26), announced a $2.75 million investment in the 35 projects which will improve facilities and facilitate greater access for all.

The grants have been awarded through the Andrews Labor Government’s Recreational Boating Structural Maintenance and Dredging and Access Grants.

At Indented Head, a grant of $55,690 will upgrade the jetty with new non-slip decks to improve boat access, while new walers will be installed to increase impact protection to boats and ageing capping will also be replaced.

Further along the Bellarine Peninsula, a $50,000 grant will be used by Bellarine Bayside to dredge several ramps including Steele’s Rocks at Portarlington, providing better access for boat users through a greater range of tides.

An extra $18,375 will also be used at Steele’s Rock to upgrade jetty ladders and improve the ramp surface at nearby Point Richards.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant said the improvements would be incredibly beneficial for aquatic users.

“The improvements at Indented Head and Portarlington will make a big difference for locals who regularly use these ramps as well as the many visitors who enjoy holidays on the Bellarine because of the wide range of boating opportunities on offer.”

Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny also welcomed the upgrades across the Bellarine.

“This is a great example of how reinvesting licence and registration fees is improving the experience for boaters and making getting out on the water easier and more accessible.”

“With projects right across Victoria covering a range of improvements, we’re building bigger and better facilities for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

The government last week also announced funding to the Kirk Point, Limeburners Point and Avalon boat ramps in the Geelong region.

To view the full list of grant recipients, visit betterboating.vic.gov.au