Malabar Boat Ramp

Stage 2 Consultation Closed: Design layout options results

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our second stage consultation regarding the Malabar Boat Ramp: design layout options. Council has assessed all comments from the community and has forwarded these to the external Built Environment Design consultants, who will use this information in moving forward with the detailed design.

Of the three design options recently exhibited, Option 1 was the most popular preference. This option is similar to the existing layout which faces the swell making the prospect of launching a boat easier. The developed design will also address pedestrian and vehicle access arrangements for the whole facility to make it safer for all users and user types, provide adequate manoeuvring space for the launching of a boat, further refine the stair access, provide seating, gathering and lookout spaces plus more.

Council’s main objective in this project is to improve safety and enhance the experience for recreational users. During the design and consultation periods, issues have been identified, which will be addressed in the final design.

Some of these issues identified include:

• Concerns over encouraging larger boats (6 metres or over), or boat users who are not familiar with the site conditions launching at this open coast boat ramp.

• Existing and potential future conflict between different types of users on and near the boat ramp.

• Environmental concerns.

These concerns will all be addressed in the detailed design development and/or construction documentation.

The detailed design will be available for viewing on this page in the coming months.

Concluding the recent completion of community consultation, it was decided a risk assessment will be undertaken for the existing site. This assessment will provide further recommendations to be integrated into the proposed design. There will be an emphasis on providing signage that will educate different users about safety and site conditions.

CONSTRUCTION AND THE NSW BOATING NOW PROGRAM

The design of the upgrade of this facility has been funded by the NSW Government’s ‘Boating Now’ Program. Following the completion of the design, the possibility of further funding for construction of this project will be assessed by the NSW Government through the next stage of the NSW Boating Now Program. More information about the NSW Boating Now program can be found at:

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/key-build-program/boating-now/

ANTI-SOCIAL USE OF JET-SKI’S IN LONG BAY

Council is not the regulatory authority for NSW Waterways, which includes Long Bay, Malabar.

RMS has advised Council that they have been monitoring jet-ski issues in Long Bay since December. RMS has also notified the Water Police who have been monitoring the area. Currently there is no significant reporting of dangerous or antisocial jet-skiers in Long Bay.

If you witness any such jet skier behaviour the RMS Hotline can be called on 131236 to log a complaint. The line is open 7am-7pm during summer and a Product Service Officer will take and direct the call.

REVIEW OF RMS BOATING PLAN

RMS Maritime has also indicated a review of the Boating Plan for the Port Hacking and Botany Bay area, which will be open for community comment in the first quarter of this year. Comments about safety, water craft speeds, management and other issues can be made by the public during this consultation period. Details of the consultation period and avenue for providing input will be made available on the Maritime section of the RMS website in the near future.

http://maritimemanagement.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/regional-boating-plans/index.html

Stage 2 consultation: Design Layout Options now on exhibition

Randwick City Council and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have partnered to investigate and improve the Malabar Boat Ramp and surrounds with the aim of improving safety and enhancing the experience for recreational users.

Following community feedback in August 2016, our design consultant has developed three design layout options for upgrading the boat ramp. The three options, along with an overview of works and new stair access plans can be viewed here.

Due to the site conditions, existing topography and constraints of the site within the scope of works, the opportunity to radically change the boat ramp facility is limited. Therefore, the design options provided marginally alter the form of the existing boat ramp, with the primary objectives for the upgrade focused on improving safety and the manoeuvring of vehicles at the bottom of the boat ramp.

Option 1: Alignment of the existing boat ramp is maintained. A new manoeuvring area constructed at existing rock shelf.

Option 2: New boat ramp structure re-oriented to provide for improved reversing from manoeuvring area. New manoeuvring area constructed at existing rock shelf.

Option 3: Same as option 2 but with a longer ramp.

All options include new seating, new native tree plantings, line marking for parking bays, giveaway sign and waiting point, new shelter with fish cleaning table and rubbish bins, and new stair access to the water, 20 metres away from the boat ramp for other users (swimmers, divers etc).

The funds for construction for this project are yet to be committed to by RMS; who will consider the design recommendations and potentially allocate funds at a later date. The amount, time and stages in which this will occur, will be determined by RMS.

To make a comment on the designs, please complete the ‘submission’ form below.

Comments can be made until 4 January 2017.

Stage 1 consultation completed August 2016: How can we improve the Malabar boat ramp?

Over the past 15 years, the water quality around Malabar Beach and Long Bay has improved significantly. As a result it provides a hub of aquatic related activities for local residents and visitors, including swimming, fishing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Randwick City Council is proposing to upgrade the Malabar Boat Ramp at Long Bay. We have partnered with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS), to investigate and improve the boat ramp and surrounds to enhance the experience of users of the ramp, including boat owners and other recreational users.

To have your say, you may want to:
- complete the short 5 minute survey below
- make a submission to share in detail your thoughts on the boat ramp
- attend an on-site meeting with Council and the design contractor to discuss your ideas or concerns: Friday 26 August at 4pm

The consultation is open from 15 August to 2 September 2016.