More State Government funding for boating facilities.

More than $1.15million has been allocated to improve recreational boating facilities throughout Western Australia.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the latest round of Recreational Boating Facilities Scheme (RBFS) grants would support 18 projects, including:

• $220,000 to upgrade the increasingly busy Palm Beach (east) boat launching facility at Rockingham;
• $175,000 to upgrade the boat launching facility at John’s Creek Boat Harbour near Karratha;
• $75,000 for boat trailer parking at Lily Creek in the Kimberley; and
• $40,000 for an environmental assessment of a proposed boat ramp at Duke of Orleans Bay near Esperance.

“With more than 85,000 registered recreational vessels in WA and registrations growing at around four per cent each year, the demand for new and improved boating infrastructure and improvements keeps increasing,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“Total funding available under the scheme has significantly increased over each of the past three years from $850,000 in 2005 to more than $1.15million this year.”

Ms MacTiernan said local governments and other agencies or organisations providing recreational boating facilities could apply for funds up to a maximum of $300,000 on a dollar for dollar basis.

The scheme, which was administered by the Department for Planning and Infrastructure was funded from boat registration fees.

“Reinvesting boat owners’ registration fees in these partnerships is an excellent way to ensure continued improvements are made to the facilities they use,” Ms MacTiernan said.

“The funding is always keenly sought and this year we received 26 applications.

“Since 2001, the scheme has provided $5.25million to 127 projects throughout the State.”

A committee, including representatives of the Department for Planning and Infrastructure, the WA Local Government Association, the WA Tourism Commission, Recfishwest and Jet Sport West Boating Association, Swan River Trust and FESA, assesses applications and recommends funding allocations to the Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

More information about the RBFS is available from http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/1152.asp

Media contact: Steve Keogh 9213 6400 or 0409 592 138
You can subscribe to have media releases emailed automatically from the Government’s website: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au

Applicant Location Project Grant
Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley Lily Creek Parking upgrade and extension for car/trailer parking $75,000
Shire of Ashburton Beadon Creek Boat ramp upgrade and extension $87,500
Shire of Roebourne John’s Creek Car park upgrade and provide sealed boat trailer parking bays $175,000
Town of Port Hedland Finucane Island, South Hedland Upgrade of the boat ramp $75,000
Shire of Shark Bay Denham Construct a second fish cleaning facility $17,863
Shire of Northampton Kalbarri Parking upgrade and extension of the existing car/trailer parking $60,000
Shire of Chapman Valley Coronation Beach Feasibility study for new boat launching facilities including site location and design planning $20,000
City of Wanneroo Two Rocks Feasibility study and public consultation for the proposed expansion of Two Rocks Marina. $50,000
City of Mandurah Parkridge Upgrade and extend the existing boat trailer car park $82,109
City of Mandurah Waterside Canals Construction of rigging and de-rigging bays, introduction of fenders and signage $24,293
Shire of Murray South Yunderup Pump out facility and jetty construction $35,000
City of Rockingham Palm Beach (East) Provide a dual boat ramp with central finger jetty $220,000
Shire of Dardanup Eaton Foreshore Boat launching ramp upgrade
$22,900
Department for Planning and Infrastructure Casuarina Boat Harbour Construction of new ablution facility at the Casuarina Boat Harbour. $75,000
Department for Planning and Infrastructure Casuarina Boat Harbour Introduction of new lighting and a waste facility $9,000
Shire of Busselton Newtown Beach Upgrade to the existing car/ boat trailer parking $46,173
Department of Environment and Conservation Coalmine Beach - Walpole Upgrade of a jetty and boat ramp $40,000
Shire of Esperance Duke of Orleans Bay Environmental study for proposed boat ramp and jetty upgrade $40,000
TOTAL $1,154,838.00