Originally Posted by Feral
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Guys please do not ruin Mooloolaba boat ramps as these have done in NSW - (as compiled by Andy from Downrigger Shop):-
Roseville boat ramp is within Garigal National Park, in Middle Harbour:
It services a large area of the North Shore and the Peninsula and – judging by online fishing forum posts – is even the boat ramp of choice for many living in Sydney’s western suburbs.
Roseville ramp is directly administered by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. That government agency is charged with environmental protection rather than boating facility management. The boat ramp has been subject to an endless stream of complaints on fishing forums and social media due to issues including:
The inappropriate angle for optimum boat launching:
The inability of the ramp to meet demand on busy days;
The poor maintenance of internal access roads, which feature gigantic pot holes;
The pitiful lighting, with a tree planted beneath the light reducing its beam width;
High hopes were held for improvement when, earlier this year, ramp signage announced that the facility would undergo a $1m overhaul. It was assumed by most that the well known problems would be addressed, particularly the primary issue being heavy congestion on the narrow ramp. Instead, the ramp has been dramatically worsened. Firstly, the new pontoon:
The biggest problem is obviously the (3 metre wide) pontoon on the ramp. It really has to go. I think any improvements to it in its current position will only have a marginal improvement to improve the flow and capacity. It is a modular unit and could be repositioned off to the side of the ramp. Some points against the pontoon in its current position:
Capacity decrease - 4 lanes to 3 is a 25% reduction in capacity on one of Sydney's busiest ramps.
Pedestrian safety - Pedestrians (often kids) are dropped off at the pontoon and are forced to make their way across the area where trailers are being reversed. Vision is limited reversing a trailer (often with a 4WD) and the kids can't be seen. This is a similar situation to kids being run over in their driveways by parents reversing cars. One of the first tenets of pedestrian safety is segregating pedestrians from traffic.
Makes reversing difficult if using the lanes next to the pontoon - Usually backing a trailer requires some minor corrections. Having the pontoon running the full length of the ramp leaves no room for these corrections without hitting it. Especially when backing an empty trailer when the trailer is on the slope and the car is on the flat. There is a time when the trailer can't be seen. This is not usually a problem on an open ramp because you can see the trailer again well before you reach any vehicles launching/retrieving at the water.
Next, the pontoon itself:
When we used Roseville last Saturday I noticed that there was quite a difference in the height of the pontoons. They used to be below gunwale height which made it easier getting into and out of the boat. They need to be dropped about 10 - 15 cms. They should also get rid of the cleats on the ramp pontoon which are nearest to the ramp, and only have cleats at the end of the ramp. This could ease congestion / ramp rage during summer. Last suggestion have a ranger on duty during peak times to direct traffic and stop people getting their boats ready in the turning bay or on the ramp.
Thirdly, the poor landscaping. This giant sandstone block has been placed at a pinch point to impede access and, as a result, is covered in dings and paint scrapes from cars:
Next, the passenger pontoon:
Another question on the pontoon on the Eastern side that was replaced. What did we gain by that? It is moved a bit further off shore but is the same size! There is no increase to capacity and that is what the ramp badly needed. In fact that's all it really needed to ease the congestion so we weren't waiting in a queue to drop a driver off to get the trailer.
These poor decisions guarantee ramp rage, this summer. In fact, that’s happening now:
XXX rang to say his grandson nearly got into a punch-up at Roseville this week. Some tool couldn't get his motor to start so left his boat tied up to the inside (probably means southern side) of the pontoon. Just as some newbie decides to first-time launch a big boat. Result? Ramp locked up, words exchanged and blows narrowly avoided.
So what’s to be done? The immediate priority is safety. Whether it be addressing the likelihood of a child being run over this summer or the fist fights that are guaranteed to occur. The new pontoon must be moved 10 metres south, attached to the shore in front of the fish cleaning table, thereby increasing rather than impeding the boat ramps throughput. And in future, and for other boat ramps, the Parks & Wildlife Service needs to consult with those affected by their decisions. None was made, the plan was announced as a fait accompli:
Given their reputation for lack of consultation, the only way that will happen is by a recommendation from this Inquiry
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As to Roseville ramp, and our many readers who use that facility. I have a request. If you’re down there this summer and see heavy launch/retrieve congestion, with cross words or worse, please take a pic or two for me? And send by e-mail. Long experience proves there is no agency less likely to admit a mistake than the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (Head Office at Hurstville, that is.) But with enough documentation, I can progress this further with either the Minister for Ports or the news media.
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