Angling club bid on break

Jane Emerick
Torquay anglers are pushing for a new study to pave the way for a breakwater at Fisherman’s Beach.
Torquay Angling Club wants State Government’s Western Coastal Board to determine whether the town should have regional boating facility classification.
The classification could put Torquay in line for upgraded boating facilities such as a breakwater.
The club has launched the push after the Independent revealed last week that Great Ocean Road Coast Committee had ruled out a breakwater at Torquay after studying options for replacement of the town’s crumbling boat ramp.
A consultant’s study found a breakwater was not viable on economic, environmental and social grounds. The committee announced it would replace the ramp with a similar structure.
Surfers opposed the breakwater option because it threatened a popular adjacent surf break, Fisho’s. Anglers argued they needed the breakwater for protection from rough seas.
Torquay Angling Club commodore Paul Rebecchi said local anglers would continue fighting for a breakwater.
“If the Western Coastal Board indicates Torquay is right for a regional boating facility then we will proceed along those lines with a breakwater,” he said.
“Right now, the nearest launching ramp is at Apollo Bay. Our goal is to make Torquay a safe launching place.”
Mr Rebecchi said a study into whether the Surf Coast should have a regional boating facility was crucial.
“We’re definitely pushing for the study to happen,” he said.
“We won’t be able to do anything more significant until a study is done. It needs to happen not just for us but for other boat-launching facilities.”
Western Coastal Board executive officer Steve Blackley could not say whether the organisation would run a regional study covering Torquay.