Calls for floating pontoon at Carrington Boat Ramp

BY JARROD MELMETH

Ward 1 Candidate for the Newcastle Independents, John Church, is calling on Newcastle City Council to start work on installing a floating pontoon at the Carrington Boat Ramp.

Currently, the boat ramp is in good condition with a small sandy beach, but Mr Church believes it could be improved with a small floating pontoon.

"This would give local residents and boat owners much safer access to the harbour, particularly for passengers and their equipment.

"A good example of this is the new boat ramp that has been installed at Croudace Bay by Lake Macquarie City Council. It features a wharf which floats on some piers as the tide rises and falls but, it does provide easy access for people with boats and for loading passengers and equipment. The project is fairly low-cost and low maintenance," Mr Church said.

Mr Church also used the call as an opportunity to take aim at Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, over recent expense claims where it was alleged Ms Nelmes racked up a council credit bill of more than $30,000.

"We were all disappointed earlier this year to find out about the Lord Mayors expensive lunches, coffees, probiotic waters, overseas trips and assistance with babysitting.

"She even has a history of producing gold foil business cards, which we think is over the top and beyond what community expectations are.

"In my view, this kind of project is a better use of council dollars," Mr Church said. 

The floating pontoon at Croudace Bay. Source: Newcastle Star

Ward 1 Candidate, John Church.

Lake Macquarie Boat Ramp Reconstruction Despite Erosion Threats

BY LAUREN KEMPE

Despite advice from the state government to rebuild Lake Macquarie's Pelican ramp elsewhere, Lake Macquarie council has alternatively decided to rebuild it in its present location.

Stabilisation reconstruction works will commence around early next year, provided councillors endorse the $1.2 million budgeted plan.

The ramp is designed to last 25 years, and the protective alcove design with surrounding rock structures acting as a buffer are anticipated to withstand any future problems of erosion.

The Mokoro Street ramp has been closed since May 2015, and there has been significant community push for reconstruction ever since.

Lake Macquarie Mayor, Kay Fraser says the community was very strong in maintaining the boat ramp's location, and the plan to move it more inland will alleviate erosion problems going forward.

"We had to look at how the engineering would stack up, but I think we now have a really good option where we can go more inland.

"[The ramp] will be more protected now, so we're looking at having rock retaining walls around a meter high. It will be a completely different look than we've had before."

Mayor Fraser is confident Lake Macquarie council will proceed with the notion within months.

"We have to have it approved by council, which will happen this month, hopefully. The community's overjoyed, they've been waiting since 2015 and they've been really patient. I think it's a really great outcome for the community and the council."

Image Credit: http://www.lakesmail.com.au/story/3542602/boat-ramp-upgrades-to-boost-lake-safety/