BETTER BOATING FOR NAMBUCCA HEADS

New and upgraded boating facilities were opened by the Country Labor Parliamentary Group in Nambucca Heads and Macksville on Wednesday. 

Convenor Christine Robertson said a new floating jetty at North Macksville and a new pontoon at Nambucca Heads were given a funding boost of more than $53,000 from the NSW Government under the Better Boating Program.

“The walk-on pontoon provides easier launch and retrieval of vessels at the boat ramp and safer vessel access for all the community including those with a disability and the elderly.

“I congratulate the local community and Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay MP, on working hard on an excellent access program,” Robertson said.

Duty MLC for Oxley, Kayee Griffin, said NSW Maritime also awarded $22,500 to the Council for the installation of a gangway and pontoon adjacent to the jetty at Nambucca Visitor Information Centre, in Riverside Drive, Nambucca Heads.

“This upgrade allows passengers to be picked up and set down more easily and gives closer access to the refuelling facility and public toilets,” Griffin Said.

“I am pleased to say that these new and improved facilities will be of great benefit to local residents and visitors who enjoy recreational boating on the Nambucca River,” she added.

Robertson said that in 2009/10, NSW Maritime’s Better Boating Program is supporting 56 projects in regional NSW and nine boat ramp projects in Sydney Harbour.

“NSW Maritime has provided more than $25 million in grants supporting more than 470 projects since 1998 — from dinghy storage racks and boat ramps to jetties and vessel sewage pump-out facilities,” Robertson said.

“These grants are about planning for the future and making sure the community has safe access to facilities which help them get out and about on our waterways.”

Visit www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/cv/infra_grants.html for more information on NSW Maritime Better Boating grants.