THE Narooma Port Committee has written a letter to Eurobodalla Shire Council frustrated with the lack of progress on the improvements to the Apex Park boat ramp.
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The letter states the Narooma Port Committee, Narooma Services Club Fishing Club, Narooma Sport and Gamefishing Club reject the proposed length of a 12.6m floating pontoon with fixed poles into the river bed, because it will be too short for the current and newer range of trailer boats that are starting to use Narooma as a base rather than Bermagui.
“Encouraging more trailer boats to Narooma will have great economic benefits to help reverse the detrimental effects caused by the zoning of the Batemans Marine Park," the letter from committee chairman Dr Philip Creagh reads.
The letter goes on to say the proposed central pontoon concept will be adversely affected by the strong currents when projected that far into the inlet.
The port committee also states it is disappointed that certain jetty modifications have been rejected out of hand because of “seagrass shading” and questions why it has taken so long for the infrastructure funded by the NSW Government to be approved.
The ramp issue is also addressed in this week’s fishing report.
Fishing writers address ramp concerns
Narooma News fishing correspondent and charter operator John Moore wrote in this week's report that Eurobodalla Shire Council has released some preliminary information regarding the re-development of the Apex Park boat ramp.
He said he believed the plan was bad news for boat users and the ratepayers of our shire. Without getting into the politics of this project, the main issues are:
*ESC is comparing the dynamics of a ramp constructed in Middle Harbour in Sydney, where there is no significant estuarine influences (fast tidal flow/currents/eddies), with the requirements for a Narooma ramp. This type of ramp would work well at ‘The Loop’, but not at Apex Park
*ESC is going to demolish the functional fixed jetty because it is at its programmed asset replacement ‘use by date’!
*ESC is planning to demolish and replace the boat ramp tarmac although it is still completely serviceable, and only recently updated
*This proposed structure could expose ESC to future legal liability issues as it will be dangerous to boat users and boats."
Outspoken chairman of the Narooma Sporting and Services Club fishing club, Dave Clark also weighed in on the debate on this week's fishing page.
"Now over the past two years, we as in the residents were going to see Apex park boat ramp improved but after major hold ups with Marine Park and the council they have approved a centre floating pontoon that’s going to just sit 12.5 meters past the wooden jetty, which is also being removed, and as anybody that owns a boat knows how the current flows at this boat ramp, so how long before somebody will be killed?" he wrote in his fishing report.
"Council met with the Narooma Ports committee and they were told of our concerns and council were given an alternative but are saying the alternative is a no go as it will disturb the sea grass.
"Well if ever our local minister is ready to step in feel free Andrew because if they don’t change it someone will die and this is just an example of how Marine Parks are stopping any form of development in this shire it’s a pity council and Marine Parks cannot go for a walk to the NPWS floating pontoon look at the way the sea grass is growing and work of that design - now there’s a hint!"