Installation: Robbie McLeish and Daryl Mainwarring lowering a section of the new pontoon near the boat ramp at McInherney Park.
THE Hastings' fishing and boating infrastructure is receiving a much-needed facelift.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council’s Liam Bulley admitted the standard of the present structures had been overlooked.
“Council has acknowledged the condition of boating infrastructure has been on a slide for some time,” he said. “But we are working hard now to improve the existing infrastructure and bring it up to standard.”
Mr Bulley said funding for pontoons at McInherney Park, Westport Park and North Haven had come from State and Commonwealth grants.
He said the new structures would provide safer launch and retrieval for boaters and easier access for people with mobility issues.
It’s not just boaters who will benefit, either.
Council also is chasing funds to upgrade fish-cleaning tables in the area.
Mr Bulley said the extra money spent on the recreational infrastructure in the area could eventually boost tourism in Port Macquarie and the surrounds.
“Council is also in the process of reviewing the fish-cleaning stations to bring them up to standard also,” Mr Bulley said. “It benefits a significant number of local recreational boaters and fishers and will also benefit the many who visit the area.”