Dredging program slated for Port Phillip, Western Port public boat ramps

The Victoria state government has confirmed that $1 million in grant funding has already been made available to facility managers through the 2021-22 Recreational Boating Access and Dredging Program for the execution of dredging at boat ramps and channels to improve access to boat launching facilities.

The Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy has also identified the need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to how maintenance dredging at public boat ramps is managed within Port Phillip and Western Port, with around 70 per cent of the state's recreational boating activity located on these waters.

The current approach to maintenance dredging by asset managers is uncoordinated, and at times reactive. Better Boating Victoria is investigating options to improve maintenance dredging around Port Phillip and Western Port to drive better outcomes for boaters.

Work is now underway with the coordinated dredging program. Some of the initial key findings include the following:

• There are 21 public boat ramps that require some form of dredging.
• Sixteen of these ramps are located within Port Phillip, and five are located in Western Port.
• These sites use different plant and equipment to undertake dredging, such as a Cutter Suction Dredge or an Excavator, or in some cases a combination of both.
• The program will progress necessary environmental approvals and permits to facilitate a coordinated dredging program.
• A market assessment of available contractors and procurement strategy will be developed as part of the program.

Better Boating Victoria expects the work to be finalised by the end of 2022. Once this work is completed, the next steps will include progressing options for a coordinated dredging program.