Local and visiting boaties and recreational fishers will soon benefit from upgrades to boat ramps in Kempsey and Jerseyville thanks to funding from Kempsey Shire Council and the NSW government under its Boating Now Program.
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The work involves the construction of a 125 square metre timber wharf at Riverside Park, Kempsey, adjacent to the playground, as well as a 2.4 metre wide floating pontoon for the Jerseyville boat ramp at Rotary Park.
Council’s manager of Technical and Civic Services, Trevor Dickson said the upgrades will provide better access to the Macleay River for boat users.
“Council identified Riverside Park and Jerseyville boat ramps as high priorities for upgrades and was successful in our funding applications to the NSW government to allow these projects to happen sooner,” Mr Dickson said.
The design of the new timber wharf at Riverside Park will feature three separate deck levels to provide dry access across the tide range for boaties to load and unload passengers and equipment.
The highest deck of 50sqm will include three bench seats, providing an ideal vantage point to enjoy the river.
The wharf will also be wheelchair accessible from all three levels.
The floating pontoon at Jerseyville will have six concrete floats, joined end to end, extending 15 metres into the river.
The pontoon will be anchored by two steel piles driven into the river bed that can hold the pontoons in a one in 100-year flood.
Access to and from the pontoon will be by an aluminium gangway fixed on the land side.
The pontoon will provide dry access to launched boats while sole boaties will be able to secure their boat to pontoon cleats while they park or collect their trailer.
“Construction at both boat ramps has started and is expected to be completed prior to the Christmas holiday period.
“We thank the community for their patience during this time,” Mr Dickson said.
