City of Mandurah to clear obstructions at Novara boat ramps

OBSTRUCTIONS at the Novara boat ramps are to be removed by the City of Mandurah.

Falcon resident Alan Reat, who has lived in Cox Bay for four years since building a new home, said one of the attractions of the area was the nearness of the boat ramp rather than travelling to Dawesville or paying to use facilities at Port Bouvard.

On November 6, he took photographs of the “appalling” conditions of the ramps; silted and sanded up with only one of the four ramps useable by a family sedan and small boat.

Mr Reat congratulated the council for improvements along the foreshore, including a new fish clearing facility and said he understood the futility of maintaining the ramps during winter.

However, it was now late spring and the crabbing season was open.

“My understanding is that the ramps are maintained by the State through the Department of Transport to whom we pay registration fees for their timely upkeep,’’ he said.

City chief executive Mark Newman said the council recognised maintenance of local boat ramps and jetty structures was important for the safety and enjoyment of boat users.

“Due to its foreshore location, orientation, proximity to adjacent weed banks and exposure to prevailing winds, the ramps experienced regular issues with sediment and weed congestion,’’ he said.

He said the ramps would be cleared.