BOATIES can look forward to getting out onto the water faster at Westport boat ramp.
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Work has started to works to widen and upgrade the Westport boat ramp and surrounding facilities to improve accessibility, reduce waiting times and provide a safer launching area for boaties and other water users.
The project includes improving ramp access and parking facilities, increasing the capacity of the existing ramp to four dedicated lanes, an additional pontoon on the northern side of the existing pontoon and relocation of the fish cleaning table.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council director Jeffery Sharp said the Westport boat ramp is a popular spot for those accessing the beautiful Hastings River, and due to increased patronage, is a facility that is due for an upgrade.
"Work is happening over three stages in order to minimise disruption, with changes to access and parking clearly sign-posted and council asks that the community exercise patience and common sense to ensure their own safety," he said.
Stage one involves reconfiguring and resurfacing the car and trailer parking facilities, upgrading the footpath to provide easier access to the existing pontoon and relocating the fish cleaning table.
Stage two, expected to start in May, involves widening the upper section of the boat ramp to provide the additional capacity.
"These widening works are planned to commence around May 9 and the existing ramp will
remain open during this time, however there will be reduced boat launching capacity," Mr Sharp said.
"During stage three works, which involves replacement of the existing concrete planks and installation of additional planks to the widening (expected start of June) the ramp will be closed for a period of approximately six weeks, and council asks the community to use other boat ramps to access the river during this period."
The final stage will be the reinstatement of the boat launching pontoon and installation of a second pontoon on the ramp's northern side.
The project is one of 22 priority projects identified in the Mid-North Coast Regional Boating Plan developed by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) after community consultation.
The $500,000 works program is funded through a combination of a $400,000 grant from RMS and $100,000 from council's developer contributions.
The project is expected to be complete in August, weather permitting.