June 2010 - Boating Industry Association of NSW

Greater access to
Sydney Harbour
New Speed Limit
for The Spit
Minister for Ports and Waterways Paul McLeay (second from right)
with North Sydney Mayor Genia McCaffery (centre) and (from
left) Max Castles (Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW), Karen
Higgins (NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officer) and John Burgess
(Australian National Sportsfishing Association), on the new
pontoon at Tunks Park boat ramp in Cammeray, Sydney, funded
by NSW Maritime's Better Boating Program.
Boating access to Middle Harbour has been significantly
improved, thanks to a $385,000 upgrade of facilities
at Tunks Park, Cammeray.
Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay and North
Sydney Council Mayor, Genia McCaffery, officially opened the
new and upgraded boating facilities in May.
Mr McLeay said the upgraded boat ramp pontoon facility,
was fully funded by NSW Maritime under the Better Boating
Program.
“I am very pleased to officially open this new and improved
facility for the benefit of local residents and visitors who enjoy
recreational boating on Middle Harbour. These improved
resources will provide greater community access to our
stunning harbour.”
• The project involved replacing the old pontoon and jetty
with a new concrete floating pontoon and gangway which
provides disability access.
• The step at one end of the pontoon will give greater
access for passive craft such as kayaks and canoes.
• It will also reduce waiting times during launch and retrieval
as well as ease congestion on the boat ramp.
Mr McLeay congratulated North Sydney Council on their
project management of the upgrades.
Mr McLeay said NSW Maritime had provided more than
$25 million in grants supporting more than 470 projects across
NSW since 1998 - from dinghy storage racks and boat ramps
to jetties and vessel sewage pump-out facilities.
“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,” Mr
McLeay said.
NSW Maritime Better Boating grants have received a
funding boost, with $5 million per annum dedicated over the
next five years. More details on the grants program is available
at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/cv/infra_grants.html
Increased traffic on Middle Harbour around The Spit has
made it necessary to reduce the speed limit from 8 knots
to 4 knots.
Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay said the new
speed limit, taking effect immediately, would apply to an area
bound by Clontarf Point and the Middle Harbour Yacht Club
on the east and d’Albora Marina and the Seaforth shoreline on
the western side of The Spit Bridge. (See attached image)
“The Spit is a confined and busy waterway where
powerboats and yachts move between Sydney Harbour and
the upper reaches of Middle Harbour, often crossing paths
with smaller passive craft including kayaks and junior sailing
classes,” Mr McLeay said.
“The decision to lower the speed limit was based on safety
concerns and the impact of powerboat wash on the increasing
number of passive craft.”
“From today, 14 speed limit signs will indicate the 4 knot
restriction and NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers will be
on the water advising boaters of the new speed limit.”
A speed of 4 knots is equivalent to a walking pace.
Penalties apply to skippers exceeding the speed limit in
restricted areas.
For more information please visit http://www.maritime.
nsw.gov.au
Use the BIA logo
Boating Industry Association
Let your customers know that
you are a member of the BIA and
comply with the BIA’s Code of Practice
15_BIA LOGO ADVERT.indd 1
BIA of NSW LOGBOOK June 2010 - 15
20/4/10 3:09:10 PM