Designs for $12.44m Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades revealed

The $12.44m upgrades includes the re-armouring of the groyne, a footpath to an accessible fishing platform and a boat ramp jetty. SEE THE PICS.

The designs for a $12.44m upgrade to Dundee Beach boat ramp have been revealed.

It includes a boat ramp jetty, a footpath to an accessible fishing platform, and re-armouring of the groyne, aimed at improving access for land-based fishos and allowing for short-term mooring of vessels without impacting ramp use.

Sand build-up on the ramp has been an ongoing issue, bogging cars and costing taxpayers $300,000 a year to remove.

The new design also promises to reduce the rate of sand build-up on the ramp and improve maintenance costs by about $100,000 each year.

Designs of the $12.44m upgrades to the Dundee Beach boat ramp. Picture: Supplied.

The $12.44m for upgrades was included in the May budget as part of a $50m recreational fishing program.

Local company Advance Civil Engineering has completed the design for the works and construction is anticipated to start in September.

Recreational Fishing Minister Joel Bowden and Advance Civil Engineering chief executive Rick Grant. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Advance Civil Engineering chief executive Rick Grant said the job would take up to 35 workers to help complete.

“This is a 26 week project, there’ll be some time here in the yard, precasting panels, and then after that we’ll be on site and that’ll take up more than half the time,” Mr Grant said.

Recreational Fishing Minister Joel Bowden said investments in infrastructure would help put the Territory on the map for some of the best fishing in the world.

“Recreational fishing is a major part of the Territory lifestyle and a significant draw card for tourists to the Territory with the recreational fishing sector generating $144 million directly and a further $126 million in indirect activity each year,” he said.

Designs of the $12.44m upgrades to the Dundee Beach boat ramp. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Bowden said Labor’s plan if re-elected on August 24 included building more accessible jetty platforms and phasing out gillnets – something he admitted could see the price of barramundi rise.

“The wild caught barra is something that is a delicacy and is highly sought after, we want to continue that, that’s why we’re transitioning the industry.

“We think that it’s going to be an increase in the premium, yes, to a small degree.”

Daly MLA Dheran Young said the investment to upgrade Dundee Beach boat ramp was “great news” for the region.

“It will give greater fishing access to the local community and the many visitors that come to the Dundee area to fish or enjoy a day on the water,” he said.

Originally published as Designs for $12.44m Dundee Beach boat ramp upgrades revealed