BIGGER, BETTER JETTY MAKING BOATING EASIER AT ST LEONARDS
A bigger, better jetty is open at the Bellarine Peninsula’s St Leonards boat ramp, making it easier to hit the water with family and friends these summer holidays thanks to recreational boating licence and registration fees.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said the jetty had been rebuilt with screens to provide more protection from wind and waves, better lower landings to improve all-abilities access and the end T-section doubled in length giving boaters more space to tie up.
The upgrade was funded through the Victorian Government’s Better Boating Fund, which reinvests recreational boaters’ licence and registration fees into projects and programs around the state.
Design and construction have been led by the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s Better Boating division and coastal land manager Bellarine Bayside, with the aim to reduce wind and wave action at the ramp - which was identified by boaters as a significant challenge when launching and retrieving.
To help combat that, concrete and reinforced plastic wave screens have been installed along the T-shaped structure, helping to dissipate waves driven by northerly and easterly winds. The end T-section of the jetty is now 40 metres across, maximising the effect of the screens for boats closer to the ramp.
A new accessible gangway and lower landing will make accessing vessels easier for people of all ability levels, with stairs leading to another lower landing on the opposite side of the structure.
A new non-slip deck, additional rubber fenders, cleats to tie ropes to and solar lighting are in place. Early 2025 will see a hoist added to the accessible pontoon, seating installed on the jetty and minor concreting works completed.
The project complements previous work funded by the Victorian Government to boost boating on the Bellarine, including multi-million-dollar ramp overhauls at Point Richards and Queenscliff plus recent dredging and car park upgrades at Clifton Springs, parking improvements at Swan Bay and jetty repairs at Indented Head.
The jetty rebuild marks the first stage of planned upgrades at St Leonards with designs for reconfigured parking and additional ramp lanes to be progressed, and community consultation held, in 2025.
St Leonards is also one of more than 50 ramps with a live webcam enabling boaters to check conditions and parking availability before they leave home via the Boating Vic app or at www.boating.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
“The St Leonards upgrade has been highly anticipated by recreational boaters and this means the ramp is open in time for some great opportunities on the water this Christmas.”
“The Bellarine is an idyllic boating location and many families start their day at this ramp, whether they’re catching a Christmas seafood feast or simply cruising along the coast.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant
“I thank the local boaters for their patience while the jetty was being upgraded. This ramp is a fantastic addition to the many options for boating and fishing on the Bellarine.”
“I thank the workers for their dedication to this project and working extremely hard to see this jetty open before Christmas.”
Quote attributed to CEO of Bellarine Bayside Scott Crabtree
“We are excited to be managing this ramp which is a fantastic asset for the community that significantly improves safety and access for boaters of all abilities”
