Harbouring hope

Jane Emerick
A strategy review could lead to construction of a harbour at Torquay, according to the state’s coastal authority.
Western Coastal Board executive officer Steve Blackley said the Victorian Coastal Strategy review would dictate infrastructure development and management of the coast over the next five years.
He said the existing strategy failed to identify Torquay’s ramp as a boatlaunching facility even though it was among the busiest between Port Phillip and Apollo bays.
The revised strategy would probably highlight the ramp’s use, he said.
The ramp’s addition to the strategy would put Torquay in line for a “regional boating facility”, Mr Blackley said.
“The Western Coastal Board won’t support a boating facility (for Torquay) until it is a part of the appropriate strategic planning document,” he said.
“It would mean there’s a strategic basis for it to happen.”
Coastal boards’ definition of a regional boating facility includes a “safe harbour”.
Torquay Angling Club said last year it would push for a strategy review after Great Ocean Road Coast Committee decided to build a new, larger ramp rather than a breakwater.
A previous study found the existing ramp was crumbling and would be unusable by 2009. State Government has committed funding for the ramp upgrade.
Commodore Paul Rebecchi said last year the club wanted a breakwater because it would be safer and easier for launching and retrieving boats than an upgraded ramp. The club would resume lobbying for a breakwater at Fisherman’s Beach boat ramp if Torquay was recognised as a regional boating facility, he said.
“If the Western Coastal Board indicates Torquay is right for a regional boating facility then we will proceed along those lines with a breakwater,” Mr Rebecchi said after the ramp decision.
“Right now the nearest launching ramp is in Apollo Bay. Our goal is to make Torquay a safe launching place.”