Bohle Boat ramp

[Gilli]

Hey all,
I went out on saturday just passed to take my boat for a spin n to test out my sounder. When i came back to the ramp to pull the boat out there was 2 council workers there marking out with pegs. I asked them what the proposal was for what they were doing and apparently they are turning it into a 2 lane ramp, even though it is called a 2 lane ramp now.

Just wondering what everyone elses thoughts were on this, me personally, i think that they are wasting there time on a creek that is to over fished.

Cheers,
Chris

[Kendall249]

I reckon it would be a good thing, the bohle definately sees some traffic at times. All the ramp facilities around townsville can't cope with the volume of traffic. Its about time that there is some action in regards to upgrading the ramps. I've seen the bohle ramp with four or five boats lined up to launch and the same number waiting in the creek to retrieve.

[aaron_gilmour]

Chris,

Althought the bohle does cop a flogging alot of boats use it to get to rattle/herald and the close islands. Saves the run from the casino.

The more ramp lanes the better, facilities up here need to be increased with the amount of boat owners in town,

News that they will increase the lanes is fantastic:D

[snatch]

I wouldn't be complaining. Extra lanes. That is a major bonus at any facility.

[Scott nthQld]

I reckon before they start making the ramp bigger, they need to get in Stoney creek and get rid of all the sunken timber, if they open up the ramp, it will increase boat traffic and that creek is not wide or deep enough to cope with the extra, it will just result in more bank erosion and silting up. It really needs attention first I reckon, remove the stumps and dredge the creek, then worry about the ramp.

[oldboot]

I think you will find that upgrading an existing boat ramp is a relativly simple matter both buraticlay and environmentaly.

Dredging a creek on the other hand is a minefield of engineering and environmental complexity :argue: in this "elightened age".

cheers

[Scott nthQld]

I think you will find that upgrading an existing boat ramp is a relativly simple matter both buraticlay and environmentaly.

Dredging a creek on the other hand is a minefield of engineering and environmental complexity :argue: in this "elightened age".

cheers

Thanks oldboot, I am aware of the environmental impacts of dredging a creek, but honestly which would you prefer:

1. Dredge the creek, removing any sunken timber in the channel to provide safe passage between the ramp and main river, or;

2. Expand to a 2 lane ramp, encouraging more boating traffic in a shallow, timber filled creek, where by due to the depth and width of the creek, may lead to collisions and hitting of submerged obstacles which could well result in the capsizing of a vessel in croc infested water.

I know which one I'd pick.

[batten]

yep ui got hgim there scott i certainly wouldnt want to gto swimming in the bohle

[oldboot]

Has anybody been presented with a choice of one or the other? I do not think so.

I simply raise the point as a matter of understanding government process.

the upgrading of a boat ramp is a relativly simple matter and it seems there is a state wide programe of boat ramp upgrades.

arrangement to remove obsticles and dredge a creek is a completly different matter almost certainly the money comes from a different source of funding.

Personlay I do not beleive it should be one or the other....it should be both.

If you want some sort of progress..get stuck into your local members and the relivent minister.

cheers

[Kendall249]

I find stoney creek not to bad, some of that timber is a bit of a hassle. Its the mouth of the bohle that gives me the most issues, but nothing realistically can be done about that.

[Scott nthQld]

Kendall, I too don't have any problem with Stoney creek, mainly because I know it like the back of my hand. What I'm worried about is how the shallow sand bars extend right out on bends (nothing we can do about that I know, it'll occur time and time again) forcing boaties to the outer edge, right where the timber is. In some sections you would be very lucky to get 2 boats side by side in a lower tide, and my experience with most bohle users, is that not many of them have a clue on the rules and seem to have gotten their licence from a cereal box. This is where problems will occur, more and more people being attracted to the ramp because of the upgrade many of which will only use the ramp to acces Rattlesnake, so more than likely, they'll have bigger, heavier boats, won't know stoney creek and will come assunder. a Spring high tide will only see it with 2m of water in the deepest parts, I have nearly been caught out several times coming in too late or too early around the low, and that's only in a 4.8m tinny, shallowest I have seen it was less than a foot of water and if you don't know the creek, you'll be stuffed, especially at some of the speeds some idiots fly through there in.

I'm wasn't trying to have a go at you oldboot, but I think before they go extending ramps, they should be considering whether or not the waterway is suitable for the potential increase of boat traffic, which I can assure you it is not. Stoney creek has already had a number of small and largish crocs captured and relocated this year, one instance nearly resulted in a boaty being taken by a 5m specimen whilst launching (a few years ago now). An increase of boat traffic in such a confined area WILL result in accidents and will attract more crocodiles as they aren't boat shy at all in this area which could potentionally cause injury or death because of poor planning and foresight by our craptacular council. I think an extended ramp is a good idea at face value, but it will end up a serious risk in trying to navigate the creek.

[Gilli]

I agree with scott. The creek is in need of dredging, i live on marina drive and the amount of boat traffic that goes down there is incredible. Especially on the opening of and the last day of barra season. I have seen cars parked up the side of the road almost to the houses which is 1 and a half K's long of parked cars n trailers.

The council really havent thought through this proposal properly, i have trouble getting my 4 meter tinny through that creek on some tides. There are to many idiots that either drive their tinnies like they are race boats or that dont know the creek what so ever. Me personally would like to see the ramp itself atleast dug out as the ramp ends it goes to a mud bar and ya boat hits it and gets stuck. along with the tree that is right at the ramp almost blocking it, a bit of timber it is.

Cheers,
Chris