Sailability Capricornia new boat ramp at Causeway Lake

A non-for-profit organisation has been lobbying for a new concrete permanent ramp for years. Finally it is coming to fruition.

Planning for a new boat ramp at Causeway Lake for community group Sailability Capricornia is moving along with hopes construction could start this year.

Sailability is non-for-profit organisation that offers sailing experiences for clients with disabilities twice a month.

The Capricornia group has a shed on the southern side of the Causeway Lake.

At the moment they have around 30 people at their sailing days which are every second Tuesday.

The current ramp was constructed with blue metal stone that can be quite uneven, which is restricting with some of the Sailability clients, and washes out with the rain.

The need for a new boat ramp was highlighted at the end of 2020 when the carpet matting of their ramp was stolen.

Livingstone Shire councillor Andrea Friend pushed to support and fund a new concrete boat ramp at the site for the volunteer run group.

The new ramp has been designed to be purpose built for the Sailability clients and will be a permanent concrete ramp with a single lane about four metres and will have an adjoining access path suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and strollers.

The project was successful in $87,000 in funding from the Queensland Government in partnership with the Federal Government’s Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program.

A development application for the earthworks and construction of the ramp was submitted to council in March.

The documents state excavation works of the lake during the construction will be limited to low tide periods.

It is noted minimal marine plants are located in the development site and works will be carried out in accordance with appropriate marine and environmental regulations and codes.

Sailability Capricornia president Helen Mackay said the new boat ramp will be perfect for their new boat, Percy, a pontoon boat they recently purchased with funds from their Queensland Government Gambling Fund grant.

“It (Percy the Pontoon) will be able to come in closer,” she said.

“The new ramp will be smooth and even …. At the moment we have earth covered in fake grass and it gets washed out in the rain.”

A new ramp has been a long time coming and Ms Mackay said the project has reached as far as it has thanks to the unwavering support of Cr Andrea Friend.

She’s been pushing us along … Even though disability isn‘t her portfolio, she treats it like it is hers, I go to her for everything, she’s great.”

Council is overseeing all works in the project and will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the ramp once operational.