DOUBTS have been raised that works will not be finished at Hastings boat ramp in time for the September-November snapper season.
It appears there are no timelines or work schedules for dredging and pontoon works at ramp which is the busiest on Western Port.
The ramp was unavailable last year after rescue works on the collapsed “coffer dam” delayed its opening until late November (“Wall collapse leaves fishers high and dry” The News 22/9/20).
The tender for dredging closed 31 March and the tender for the pontoon work closed 19 May.
Mornington Peninsula Shire’s infrastructure projects manager Derek Rotter said a contractor for the project had been appointed but would not elaborate on when the works would begin or end.
“We are currently in negotiations with the contractor and Better Boating Victoria to work out the delivery dates for this work,” Mr Rotter said. “The contractor has been delayed on other sites due to COVID-19 restrictions.”
Fisherman Keith Thomas said stage 3 tender documents indicated a 15-week program which would mean works would not be completed for the snapper season.
He said there is no viable alternative nearby ramp. “Stony Point is already overcrowded and Warneet has no water at low tide.”
First published in the Western Port News – 21 July 2021
