Howqua Public Boat Ramp
Introduction
Council has been investigating options to construct a new public boat ramp near Howqua Inlet in collaboration with Goulburn-Murray Water and Better Boating Victoria.
The design proposal is for a double-lane concrete ramp offering safe access to Lake Eildon between full supply level (FSL) and 38% full, with trailer parking. This may be need to be achieved by the construction of two ramps at different locations to accommodate varying lake levels. The proposal does not include facilities such as public toilets, rubbish bins, shelters, or barbecues as the objective of the ramp is to provide lake access only.
There is currently no public boat ramp available for use to access Lake Eildon between the existing boat ramps located at Goughs Bay and Jamieson. The proposed boat ramp will offer a safer option for boat users and avoid broader environmental damage.
Previous engagement
Two rounds of community engagement were undertaken in 2022 and 2023 to identify any potential concerns and the feasibility of addressing these concerns.
The 2022 engagement found strong support for a public boat ramp at Barnetts Road, but also significant concern about increased activity and disturbance close to nearby residents’ homes – concerns that could not be addressed through design.
The 2023 engagement proposed two smaller ramps, with two location options for each:
- A low-to-mid-level ramp operating from 79% Supply Level to 38% Supply Level.
- A high-level ramp operating from Full Supply Level to 79% Supply Level.
Low-to-mid-level ramp option 1: Peacheys Road
This location has a suitable 1:8 gradient, is closer to the main body of the lake and is separated from Howqua Inlet's main residential area. Peacheys Road itself would need upgrades to accommodate traffic to the boat ramp.
Low-to-mid-level ramp option 2: Barnetts Road
Barnetts Road is the most accessible location for any large ramp at Howqua Inlet. The top of the ramp is further from houses than the previous proposal in order to reduce any impacts on adjacent residents.
High-level ramp option 1: Willow Lake Drive
This location in Macs Cove has a suitable 1:8 gradient and has some separation from nearby homes.
High-level ramp option 2: "Howqua East"
This location is easily accessible from Mansfield-Woods Point Road while being separated from homes at Howqua Inlet.
Engagement results
For the low-to-mid-level ramp, although neither option was clearly preferred, the Peacheys Road proposal was more positively viewed than the revised Barnetts Road proposal.
For the high-level ramp, the “Howqua East” proposal was preferred by a clear majority, and the community sentiment towards this option was generally positive. There were conflicting views and ambivalent sentiment towards the alternative Willow Lake Drive proposal.
You can view the survey results by clicking on the survey links at the bottom of this page.
A full report is available on Council's website as part of the 18 April 2023 Council Meeting agenda:
https://www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings/Minutes-Agendas
Outcomes
During the engagement, the Project Control Group members agreed to postpone work on the low-to-mid-level ramp because the currently high lake levels were expected to prevent construction for the foreseeable future.
The engagement results were presented to Councillors at the 18 April 2023 Council Meeting. At the meeting, Council endorsed the "Howqua East" proposal. It also committed to further community engagement in relation to the low-to-mid-level ramp.
Council will now complete concept designs and cultural heritage assessment for a ramp at "Howqua East", with consideration for the concerns that were raised in relation to that location. The project will then proceed to detailed design and will include further stakeholder consultation.