Local anglers outraged after Onkaparinga Council scraps in-person payments for boat launch fees at O’Sullivan Beach

Anglers are outraged after a local council scrapped in-person payments at a nearby kiosk for access to a popular boat ramp.

The South Australian fishing community is outraged at the Onkaparinga Council’s decision to scrap in-person payments at the nearby kiosk for access to the O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp.

The removal of the in-person payment at the kiosk has left many boat ramp users with caution notices as they struggle to grapple with the new electronic system.

John Lunnay, 77, a member of RecFish SA, said the new system is unfair – especially for those who don’t have smart phones.

“I’ve got a boat, I’m an old bloke and I don’t have a smart phone,” he said.

“The only way to get a launch pass on the day is on the app … they say you can buy a launch permit from the council office but it only lasts 24 hours.”

Mr Lunnay said this is an issue as fishing is unpredictable and can be impacted by various factors including the weather and tides.

“You work on the tides, the moon and the weather,” he said.

Director of planning and regulatory at the Onkaparinga Council, Renee Mitchell said the council has reintroduced a way to pay in-person after receiving feedback from the community.

“We’re aware of some early frustrations with establishing mobile app accounts, which we’ve been continuously improving since the permits were reintroduced in mid-December,” she said.

The council said the boat ramp fees go toward general maintenance of the ramp. Picture: Onkaparinga Council

“This week (we have) introduced a cash process for customers who prefer this option, with physical permits able to be purchased from council’s Noarlunga office during business hours.”

Ms Mitchell said they are yet to issue fines for the non-payment of fees and have instead only issued caution notices.

“We have issued caution notices, expiations with a $0 fine amount, to those without permits to help get used to the new system,” she said.

“Fines have only been issued to vehicles parked illegally in the boat-launching area without a boat trailer attached, as per Australian road rules.”

Mr Lunnay said the community is also still reeling with having to pay a daily boat launch fee of $13.70, which he believes should be free.

“It’s a very exuberant price to launch a boat … it’s wrong,” he said.

“The boat launch fees should be free.”

Boat ramp users also have the option to pay $95.79 for three months, $171.12 for six months, $248.31 for nine months and $313.90 for 12 months.

Ms Mitchell said the boat ramp fees assist in covering the maintenance of the ramp.

“The purpose of the boat ramp fee is to cover the day to day maintenance of the ramp and to maintain signage and notices for the control of launching and retrieval operations at the ramp,” she said.