Wellington Shire Council is delighted with the positive feedback it has received from interested community members on the proposed $1 million of improvements to the boat ramp, traffic flow and parking facilities at Port Albert.

Council received 126 completed surveys and has also collated direct feedback from the community drop-in session, held earlier this year, as well as correspondence sent directly to Council. 78 people completed the survey from within the postal area code 3971 and 48 people from outside the area.

The Port Albert boating community gave ‘two thumbs up’ to the installation of two additional boat ramps, and over 72% of people who completed the survey either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that there is a need for additional parking for vehicles, RV’s and boat trailers.  

Following the consultation, the following will be included in the overall redevelopment project (see attached images):

• There will be no centre pontoon between old and new ramps – to avoid boats blocking launching lanes, provide 2m wide manoeuvring area between existing and new ramps
• Pedestrian access way to existing pontoon on south side of the ramp
• Lighting, fish cleaning facilities and water on North and South pontoons
• Additional laybys for the south pontoon
• Dedicated Coast Guard parking in close proximity to the boat ramp
• Additional off street car parking on Wharf Street
• On-street parking adjacent to the water tower to be general parking
• Changed entry to the boat parking area
• Modification to allow additional boat parking on the south end of Rutter Park.

Wellington Shire Councillor and Port Albert resident Gayle Maher said: “Port Albert is a busy regional boating facility attracting boaters from across the Shire, the wider Gippsland region and Melbourne. These upgrades to the existing facilities will improve the users experience and reduce waiting times, particularly at peak periods. It is a great boost for Port Albert and will hopefully attract more visitors and tourists to the area, once the works are complete.”

Council has received funding from the State Governments Boating Safety and Facilities Program of $640,000 to complete the boat ramp upgrade works, with Council contributing an additional $160,000 towards the project. A tender for these works will be advertised over the coming weeks.

The design process for the $200,000 traffic and parking improvements will commence soon with completion of the whole project expected during the next 12 months.

Works will be planned to minimise disruption to users of the facilities and maintain access to car parks and water ways at all times.

A copy of the survey results is included in the Project Newsletter available below.

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