- Published:
- Thursday 13 May 2021
The popular Point Richards boat ramp on the Bellarine Peninsula is set to get an additional 50 car-trailer parking spots, to improve parking and enable more people to use the facility.
The Point Richards upgrade project is one of six priority projects from the Andrews Labor Government supporting local jobs and comes on top of Better Boating Victoria (BBV) making launching and parking at boat ramps free.
The upgrade to the Point Richards facilities will be completed in two stages, with the carpark work to be finalised before improvements to reduce seagrass impact at the boat ramp are undertaken. BBV is working closely with the Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management on both upgrade packages.
The carpark expansion will add 50 parking spaces that allow for both a car and trailer. This will improve traffic flow around the busy ramp – providing unrestricted access to Port Phillip and allowing larger vessels to be launched.
There will also be six additional car-trailer parking spaces added to the existing carpark and a new standard parking area will be created to the south of the ramp and adjacent to the beach to significantly boost capacity.
Extensive consultation with community members and local user groups has been undertaken, including the Bellarine Miniature Railway, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and City of Greater Geelong.
Construction is planned to begin in mid-June, outside the busy boating season to limit disruption to boaters. BBV and the Committee of Management will continue to update boaters and the local community on any specific impacts to access at the ramp as the project progresses.
Planning work on the marine side infrastructure will continue as the carpark upgrade is carried out, with work on a rock groyne expected in 2022. This is designed to reduce impact of seagrass at the ramp and the requirement for closure of the facility while seagrass is removed.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“We know how popular boating is on the Bellarine and within Greater Geelong, with one of the highest rates of vessel registrations in the state.”
“The upgrade at Point Richards will provide access to the facilities for more boaters, with the extra parking set to make a big difference when it comes time to get out on the water.”
Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney
“The project at Point Richards boat ramp will be welcomed by the community and make it easier for more people to enjoy the great boating on offer in this part of the world.”