Afant News

InDepth #9

AFANT Email InDepth #9
7 September 2009

PALMERSTON BOAT RAMP REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The NT Government has released the concept plan for the $4 million redevelopment of the Palmerston boat ramp. The fishing public has until Friday 2 October to comment on the plan.

AFANT and the Palmerston Game Fishing Club have both been involved in the planning process but the Concept Plan presented here is just that — an initial concept — and it’s important that potential users of the facility have their say on the final design. Details of the Concept Plan are on the NT Government website at www.nt.gov.au/construction/projects.

At this stage the plan includes a floating jetty (concrete this time so it should be suitably stable) down the centre of a widened two-lane boat ramp, additional car and trailer parking, security lighting, a security parking compound, a new toilet block and a loading platform near the ramp to improve boat access for people with disabilities.

A major addition to the facility is the proposed rock groin and fixed jetty for land-based fishos. This will provide a welcome and relatively safe alternative for people who currently fish from the Elizabeth River and Channel Island bridges. The jetty will get people out to deeper water and will have stepped down platforms at the end so fishers can get down closer to the water. A fish cleaning facility is proposed near the end of the fixed jetty.

One thing to note is that the proposed car/trailer parking area is about 250 metres from the actual ramp. We would have preferred to have parking much closer to the ramp but this couldn’t be done within the existing budget and we think it is preferable to have all parking in the one place including the monitored security compound. This may help with overall parking security.

We have also suggested that further consideration of the final locations of the groin and fixed jetty and the disabled access ramp may be necessary. We want to be sure that there is no danger from the overhead power lines that are close to the jetty’s current position. We also believe that the disabled ramp will fit in the middle of the ramp turn-around area allowing access on both sides without impairing access to the boat ramp itself.

Government wants comments to be in writing but email is fine. Email Constructionmarketing.DPI@nt.gov.au or post to Lyle Hebb, PO Box 61 Palmerston NT 0831.