WTF: The ramp’s step, confusing tourists, a win for the good guys

The ramp access to a Bellarine beach has the one thing it shouldn’t — a step.

WTF!!

They’re the little – and sometimes not so little – things that can really irk us. We’ve asked the people of Geelong to point out the problems that irritate and exasperate and have us all saying, woah, that’s frustrating!

THERE’S A STEP ON MY RAMP

Those feeling inclined to get to a Bellarine beach have been hit with a new challenge. Picture: Facebook

Those feeling inclined to get to a Bellarine beach have been hit with a new challenge.

The ramp entry to the Point Lonsdale dog beach was damaged in high tides a few weeks ago.

The result is the exact thing you don’t want as part of a ramp, that being a step.

To go with it, a large crack has formed across concrete, threatening to snap off at any second.

While the population of the Borough of Queenscliffe is young at heart, it’s no secret they are, on average, old in years.

A local, who walks along the beach most days, said the borough’s older population is struggling with the inconvenience.

That’s a fair crack. Picture: Facebook

“There’s other access, but it’s over a kilometre away,” he said.

“You see a lot of older people with their dogs struggling with it.

“It’s a shame, a lot of people come down from Geelong, even Melbourne, because there aren’t many beaches you can have your dog on.

“We just want to know who’s responsible and get it fixed.”

But fear not, the Borough of Queenscliffe is on it, it just might take a while.

The ramp won’t be fixed until next year. Picture: Facebook.

“The Borough of Queenscliffe, along with neighbouring coastal authorities, sustained damage to many coastal assets during a series of high tide storm surge events through late August and early September,” a council spokesman said.

Council officers have been working with specialist marine civil works contractors to determine suitable remedial action for several beach access points.

“Council’s priority is ensuring access is available at the patrolled beach in Point Lonsdale, another access point that suffered significant damage, prior to the December school holiday period.

“Our dog beach ramp continues to be monitored by council officers in the interim.

“It is anticipated that the dog beach access ramp repairs will occur in early 2025 following the remediation of the access to the patrolled beach in Point Lonsdale.”

WHICH WAY TO THE BEACH

Here's one to confuse the tourists heading south on Anglesea Rd. Signage says to turn left to the Great Ocean Rd when Google says go straight ahead. Picture: Alison Wynd

How good’s living near the beach?

It’s one of the great pleasures of being a Pivot City local, a real good one to rub in the face of Melburnians (we’re talking real beaches, you can keep the bay).

But it’d be nice to be able to find your way to it.

“Here’s one to confuse the tourists heading south on Anglesea Rd,” an astute reader said.

“Signage says to turn left to the Great Ocean Rd when Google says go straight ahead.”

One less reason to trust big tech.

A WIN FOR THE GOOD GUYS

A win!! Picture: Shaun Viljoen

In this week’s edition, we can also report on a positive WTF - wow, that’s fixed, also woah, that’s fast.

Yes, just one week after highlighting a broken, crumbling, overgrown drain cover in Torquay, authorities have taken action.

The structure had sat in ruins for months but after the mess made an appearance in this column, a truck and team of workers in hi-vis swept in.

That’s the power of the press. Shining a light on issues can get concrete results, in this case literally.

Originally published as WTF: The ramp’s step, confusing tourists, a win for the good guys