Long-time Narooma resident and keen inlet boater, Paul Clark is calling for urgent action to improve launching facilities at Taylor’s boat ramp.
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Other boaters driving boats on and off trailers using their motors has eroded a large hole at the end of the concrete ramp, which means trailers drop off into deeper water making launching difficult.
“It’s getting worse now with idiots driving their boats on the trailers,” Mr Clark said. “I would like council to do something about and to consult with us boaters before they do anything.”
He suggests at the very least the sign urging boaters not use their motors on trailers could be made more prominent, but he would like to see Eurobodalla Council do more general improvements at the ramp.
Mr Clark who grew up fishing and swimming around Narooma said in “old days” local Jimmy Taylor would reverse a powerful vessel up to the ramp and give it full throttle pushing sand back into the hole.
He said boat launching facilities on Wagonga Inlet were generally very poor and a few improvements at the ramp at The Loop and Mill Bay would take pressure of the bigger ramp at Apex Park, which becomes very crowded during the busy holiday period.
He suggested the council look at installing pontoons or moorings at The Loop and Mill Bay to allow people to tether their boats while launching.
He has been in contact with local councillor Phil Constable and continues to lobby the council for the improvements, in particular at Taylor’s boat ramp.
Good news for the boating community is that Eurobodalla Fishing Association president Adam Martin and local Recreational Fishing Advisory Council member Max Castle have drawn up a list of boating facility priorities for the Eurobodalla.
Mr Martin said they were about to present the list, which included the Narooma inlet ramps, to the mayor and council’s recreation and infrastructure departments in an effort to get some work done on these facilities.
He has also contacted State Member Andrew Constance to get some state funds spent locally on ramps.
“It is high time that we get some money spent on our facilities in regional NSW instead of all the money going to city boat ramps,” Mr Martin said.
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
