BOOST FOR BALLINA BOATING COMMUNITY AS FLOOD-DAMAGED PONTOONS REPLACED

Transport for NSW

Maritime is working with Ballina Shire Council to replace food-damaged pontoons in Ballina and Keith Hall through part of a $389,000 grant.

Ballina Shire Council will remove pontoons which sustained damage in the extreme foods of 2022, replacing them with new infrastructure to improve safety for the boating community.

“Our community has been through so much and it’s been such a long recovery since last year’s devastating foods. The new pontoons are very welcome news for recreational boaters, a boost for local tourism, and another signifcant step forward in our community’s food recovery,” said Ballina Shire Mayor Sharon Cadwallader.

Transport for NSW Maritime delivers urgent funding to local councils and other bodies to repair or replace recreational boating infrastructure damaged in severe weather events. More than $2 million in funding has been approved for 34 projects across the state since 2019.

Transport for NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings said he’s pleased to deliver this boost to the Ballina boating community.

“The North Coast community are avid boaters and it’s great to see these pontoons replaced in time for summer,” Mr Hutchings said.

“Transport for NSW Maritime is committed to helping the boating and wider community safely access and use our rivers and coastal waters, particularly in the wake of natural disasters.”

Works will begin in Keith Hall on Tuesday 24th October and at Lance Ferris Wharf in Fawcett Park on Monday 30th October.

At Keith Hall, a truck and crane will remove the damaged pontoons and put the new ones in place.

Access to the Keith Hall boat ramp will, at times, be impacted but it is expected that recreational users will be able to access the boat ramp in between crane lifts.

Lance Ferris Wharf pontoons will be replaced by barge on the river, with each unit foated from the Fishery Creek boat ramp at West Ballina.

Access to the boat ramp will be impacted at times and the Lance Ferris Wharf will be closed to the public while works take place over the three-day period.