They may be far from the ocean but Bogan Shire Council has been successful as the only non-coastal council to secure state government assistance with the upkeep of their maritime infrastructure.

Bogan Shire Council will receive an injection of $30,000 as one of nine local councils and a boating club who received grants for maintenance and repair projects under the Boating Asset Maintenance Program. 

“Many asset owners around the state face numerous difficulties and challenges in trying to maintain and repair boating infrastructure – particularly after the severe weather and flooding events this state has been through,” said Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott.  

“The Boating Asset Maintenance Program is a new $2 million Boating Now sub-program that was announced in August 2022 to provide crucial funding to owners of boating infrastructure. 

“We have listened to feedback and this funding will go a long way towards helping owners bring maritime infrastructure such as pontoons, wharves, jetties, boat ramps and trailer parking back to optimal condition for the safety and benefit of all users. 

“Minor maintenance and repair work goes a long way to improving the usability of boating assets which have experienced general wear and tear over a number of years.” 

Councils received grants between $11,000 and $60,000 towards projects such as the replacement of deteriorated timber decking on pontoons, repair of timber railings and fixtures, renewal of line markings in car parks and trailer bays to maintenance of jetties including the re-application of anti-slip paint. 

Bogan Shire Council General manager Derek Francis was thrilled to receive the funding for Bogan Shire Council. 

ABOVE: Bogan Shire River  

"We have received $30,000 in funding from the NSW Government’s Boating Asset Maintenance Program to improve the Rotary Park boat ramp. The improvements will include bitumen sealing the boat ramp turning and parking areas, cleaning the ramp to remove algae and other growth, as well as repairs to the adjacent the river bank," said Mr. Francis. 

"The Rotary Park boat ramp provides free access to the Bogan River for local and tourist fishermen, boaters, kayakers, and skiers. Recent flooding has left the ramp in poor condition, so this funding will restore it back to a clean and functional asset just in time for the summer boating season," he said. 

The successful applicants are: 

• Bogan Shire ($30,000) 
• City of Canada Bay ($60,000) 
• Eurobodalla Shire Council ($20,000 and $30,000 for two projects) 
• Inner West Council ($5,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000 for four projects) 
• Mosman Council (two projects each worth $30,000) 
• Nambucca Valley Council ($30,000) 
• Northern Beaches Council ($16,440 and $7200 for two projects) 
• Shoalhaven City Council (S11,500, $13,000, $14,500 and $21,000 for four projects) 
• Woollahra Council ($18,708 and $30,000 for two projects) 
• the Woollahra Sailing Club ($11,000) 

Mark Hutchings, NSW Maritime Executive Director, said the funding was vital in helping boating asset owners ensure all facilities were safe and accessible and could be enjoyed by all members of the general boating public.