500 people sign petition calling for O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp to be upgraded
More than 500 people have called on the State Government to upgrade the ageing O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp.
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More than 500 people have signed a petition – handed to State Parliament yesterday – calling for the ageing O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp to be upgraded.
Labor MP for Reynell Katrine Hildyard submitted the petition to parliament on behalf of boaties and residents in Adelaide’s south.
The petition was started by Lonsdale’s Fishing Wholesalers owner Mark Mills, who also founded the annual Onka Stompa fishing competition.
Mr Mills said another pontoon needed to be built and the area between the washdown bays widened to prevent congestion.
He said people had to line up for up to 20 minutes to launch their boat and then on return were stuck in the water waiting to use the ramp.
He added that this created a safety hazard because it also delayed the Coast Guard and Sea Rescue boats.
“During the busy time in summer the boat ramp becomes congested and it becomes a bottleneck,” Mr Mills said.
“The boat ramp was built 36 years ago when a lot of the southern suburbs wasn’t built yet.
“Back then, the back of Colonnades was just a paddock, there was no Noarlunga Downs or Seaford Rise and Aldinga was just a shack town.”
Mr Mills said it was time Onkaparinga Council and the State Government invested money into O’Sullivan Beach.
“It’s like the forgotten stretch of beach up here,” he said.
“They have made Christies Beach and Hallett Cove really nice along the foreshore and then there’s O’Sullivan Beach, which could be really nice if it got some money put into it.”
Ms Hildyard estimated the upgrade would cost about $833,000.
She urged the State Government and the council to commit to the revamp, saying there was a risk recreational boaties would start going elsewhere.
“Many people and organisations met together as a community in June with concerns about the state of the O’Sullivan Beach boat ramp,” Ms Hildyard said.
“With concerns about the safety of the ramp and how well it is working, recreational fishers, the Christies Beach Sailing Club, local SA Sea Rescue Squadron and Volunteer Coastguard volunteers and local community members resolved to petition both the State Government and Council to get this upgrade moving.
“Infrastructure must be upgraded to ensure that people do not stop using this ramp and visiting our community.”
Onkaparinga Council and the Transport Department have been approached for comment.
