An ugly section of river bank at Blackman’s Point has been made into an attractive beach for water skiing and boating activities.

The area of the south side of the river between the two disused ferry ramps was a muddy hole strewn with car bodies, rusted outboard motors, wire rope, broken bottles, tins, rocks and other rubbish, and separated from the road by thick lantana bushes.

Today, it is a 75-yard stretch of white sand, gently sloping from a cleared picnic area, with car parking space available on both sides of the road.

The transformation was made by Port Macquarie Water Ski Club, assisted by Macquarie Waters Pty. Ltd., Teitzel Peach Gravel Pty. Ltd., and the municipal council.

It involved extensive clearing, carting of 500 cubic yards of sand, and levelling by four front-end loaders, a bulldozer and a grader.

The ski club had long considered this area an ideal spot for water skiing, as it had the two disused ferry ramps for launching boats.

It is only four miles from town by bitumen road, and has adequate parking and picnic areas.

The club applied to the Lands Department for a permissive occupancy for the area, and this was granted a month ago.

The application was supported by Hastings Shire Council, which gave the club permission to fill the beach and generally beautify the area, and promised to assist the club where possible.

On the first weekend, club members cleared the beach and both sides of the road of rubbish and lantana.

This clearing work was continued on the second Sunday, while concrete and stone filling from the Panorama Guest House was used to shore-up the bank.

The next weekend, 63 truckloads of sand were carted from Kooloonbung reclamation scheme.

This sand was given to the club by the developer, Mr. Peter Vaggelas.

To spread the sand, Mr. Vaggelas donated the use of a bulldozer and two frontend loaders, and also paid the wages of two men to work them.

The municipal council also provided a front-end loader without cost but the club had to pay for the operator.

Last weekend, Teitzel Peach Gravel Company, gave free use of its grader to level out the sand ready for the final top- dressing of sand to give a smooth, flat beach.

The club plans to grass the picnic area and plant trees to provide shade for hot summer days.

A big slab of concrete will be laid for a barbecue stand and it is later proposed to ask the municipal council to erect a toilet block on the site.

The public will have access to the beach and picnic areas, and may use the launching ramps.

The club has been appointed to maintain the area.

The ski area has been prepared for the staging of the zone water ski championships in February.

The facilities will also be available for the big aquatic carnival in October next year, to be held as part of the sesqui-centenary celebrations.

Plans are now afoot to construct a ski jump. This season could see the club and its amenities become a valuable tourist attraction.