Lake Finds Funds To Fix Ramps

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday June 3, 2008

By DAMON CRONSHAW

A THIRD of public boat ramps in Lake Macquarie have suffered erosion, prompting the city council to spend $150,000 to fix them.

The council's asset manager David Pavey said the problem had affected seven of the council's 22 boat ramps.

He said boat propellers and lake currents had eroded the ramps, causing a "drop off the end".

This had made it difficult for tinnies to use the ramps, NSW Boat Owners Association Hunter secretary David Johnston said.

"Instead of winching their boats onto trailers, some people drive them on," he said.

"As they get to the last bit of the ramp, they rev up their boat and that blows holes at the end of the concrete."

Mr Johnston said greater awareness of the problem was needed, and possibly signs, to stop people doing it.

Mr Pavey said geotextile bags filled with sand would be placed in the holes, with small rocks around them, to rectify the problem by the end of this month.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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