Boaters, fishers rebel over plans to close Ermington Boat Ramp, Rydalmere Wharf

A plan to close a popular Parramatta River boat ramp is causing a splash among western Sydney fishers and boaters with fears it will lead to a spike in angry ‘ramp rage’ incidents.

Boaters and fishers are rallying against the closure of the ramp.

A plan to close a popular Parramatta River boat ramp is causing a splash among Sydney fishers and boaters with fears it will deny access to the waterway and lead to a spike in angry ‘ramp rage’ incidents.

Boat owners have expressed “grave concerns” over the proposed closure of Ermington Boat Ramp which would be out of bounds to the public for up to three years as part of construction works for the next stage of the Parramatta Light Rail.

The closure of the ramp was revealed in planning documents which show road access to the boat ramp falls within the planned light rail construction zone and will therefore not be able to be used by the public.

Rydalmere Wharf will also be out of bounds for up to six months during construction due to its proximity to construction sites on the northern side of the Parramatta River.

Transport for NSW said the closure meant boat users would have to access the Parramatta River via other ramps, including at Kissing Point Park and Rhodes.

The ramp is set to close for up to three years as part of the light rail construction.

The move has sparked an angry response from boating and fishing groups which say the closure of Ermington could exacerbate overcrowding at other foreshore ramps.

Ken Cameron – president of the Boat Owners Association of NSW – said Ermington Ramp was the primary launching point on the northern side of the Parramatta River and the only one with adequate parking to meet demand at peak times.

A map of the proposed light rail extension.

“It services a large number of recreational boat users, with the ability to park 53 vehicles and boat trailers (and) the closure will force people to use Rhodes or Kissing Point which have insufficient trailer parking to accommodate the additional usage,” he said.

Fisherman Stan Konstantaras – the president of Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW – said overcrowding caused by the closure could lead to ‘ramp rage’ incidents between boaters vying to get their vessels in the water at peak times.

“Already people can be rather intimidating and things get heated with people pushing in or not finding spots,” he said. “If you’re putting more pressure on existing ramps we’d only see more of that, especially on weekends.

“The majority of people who go out on a Saturday or Sunday go out on the river to relax and don’t want to be faced with that kind of aggression.”

Fisherman Stan Konstantaras has spoken out over the closure.

As well as fishers, Mr Konstantaras said the closure could impact people with small recreational vessels such as row boats, canoes, kayaks and stand up paddle boards.

“There’ll be families missing out on taking their kids out over summer to enjoy the harbour,” he said.

“It’s the first ramp people of western Sydney use and if we don't have access we’ll have to mothball our boats for a couple of years.

“We pay for our boat licences and the government is treating us like second rate citizens.”

The ramp is a main launching point for Parramatta River boat users.

Plans by Transport for NSW recognise the closure of the Ermington Ramp would result in “reduced access and enjoyment” that “may disrupt lifestyles and affect wellbeing”.

The plans also recognise the alternative ramps at Rhodes and Kissing Point “do not have the same level of parking provisions as the Ermington Boat Ramp”.

“This reduction in trailer parking may inconvenience users and could deter some users from participating in recreational boating and water sports at this location,” Transport for NSW stated.

The Boating Industry Association has also lashed out at the planned closure, accusing the NSW Government of “ignoring concerns” raised by the community.

“The closure will disenfranchise the public by locking people out of a site designed and built for public amenity and access to the river,” association spokesman Neil Patchett said.

The ramp is a popular launching point for river users.

The community backlash over the second stage of the light rail comes after the first stage of the project faced community opposition – partly due to the controversial demolition of Parramatta’s historic Royal Oak pub.

Planning documents for the second stage of the light rail show the project will also impact the commuter car park at Rydalmere Wharf which would be closed for up to three years during construction.

The second stage of the light rail project remains under assessment by the Department of Planning.

Prior to this year’s state election, Premier Chris Minns named the project a priority and said was “what the people of western Sydney need and want.”

Transport for NSW was contacted for further comment but did not respond at the time of publication.