$749,000 for Torquay Ramp plan breaks

Alex de Vos
A $936,500 plan to replace Torquay’s boat ramp would not make the facility safe because it doesn’t include a breakwater, according to a peak recreational fishing group.
VRFish found Torquay’s Fisherman’s Beach boat ramp to be the state’s most dangerous in a 2007 report and called for a new facility to include a breakwater.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said State Government would provide $749,000 to replace the boat ramp but had no plans to build a breakwater.
VRFish spokesperson Bob Pearce said the facility would remain a safety hazard without a breakwater to protect boats from the swell.
He welcomed the funding but said there was “still some work to be done”.
“We’re really pleased to see we’ve made some progress because we’ve been pushing hard for Torquay,” Mr Pearce said.
“We would love to see a breakwater provided.”
He said a breakwater would make the facility “so much safer”.
“People are getting bogged down to their axles – it’s just a terrible facility.”
Mr Crutchfield said a breakwater would have to wait.
“We’re providing $749,000 to install a two-lane beach access ramp to low water, with two single-lane inter-tidal side ramps at Torquay, which will improve boating access for the area,” Mr Crutchfield said.
“There are no current plans for a breakwater – it’s not being considered.
“The breakwater is not my priority. My priority is delivering on the boat ramp.”
Mr Crutchfield said Great Ocean Road Coast Committee had pledged $126,000 toward the project, bringing total investment, including $61,500 in-kind from Torquay Angling Club, to $936,500.
“Improving boating safety is a very high priority of the Government and our aim is to continue to reduce the number of boating-related injuries and fatalities on Victoria’s waterways,” Mr Crutchfield said.
A Great Ocean Road Coast Committee study had investigated options for replacing the ramp but ruled out a breakwater amid fears it could ruin a nearby surf break.
Coast committee executive officer David Clarke said the ramp study had found that a breakwater at Fisherman’s Beach would be “difficult and expensive”.