Neil Whitworth, Steven Ozvacic and John Saltmarsh have been using the Yarrawonga Holiday Park boatramp for 30 years and say a permit system would address peak season congestion.
Public access to one of Yarrawonga’s most popular boat ramps is no longer assured and residents have until today to voice their view.
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Renovations to the Yarrawonga Holiday Park and a $650,000 upgrade to Cullens Rd boat ramp have prompted a review by Moira Shire Council.
The review has triggered a strong response from the public and exposed significant and unresolved problems with erosion to the riverbank.
Yarrawonga Holiday Park president, Glenn Brear said the park would be making alterations to the existing office area and storage shed.
The changes involve moving the existing boom gates, which would prevent public vehicle access to the boat ramp.
Mr Brear said the public would still be able to walk in and fish from the riverbank.
“Our view is we are looking after the people who look after park, and stay there,” he said.
“It will allow us easier access with no cars with trailers in that area ... and is in the best interests of the people utilising the park.”
But locals who have used the boat ramp for decades see it differently.
To date, council has received 540 submissions to the poll and survey, which will be reviewed once consultation closes.
Neil Whitworth, Steven Ozvacic and John Saltmarsh see no reason to prevent public access and plenty of reasons to maintain it.
Steven Ozvacic with his prize Murray Cod, but he says the boat ramp means more to users than just fish. It’s about mateship and accessibility.
Steven and Neil have been fishing from the boat ramp for 30 years, sometimes five days a week.
John retired to Yarrawonga nine years ago and met his mates on the boat ramp.
They say the boat ramp is an icon of Yarrawonga and the only time it gets really congested is at Christmas time.
The bigger issue, they say, is a lack of maintenance.
And on that point, the fishermen Glenn Brear, agree.
Erosion is an ongoing problem for about 600m of riverbank downstream of the boat ramp and Mr Brear said it was going to take “an extremely large amount of money” to fix it.
“The last lot of flooding from dam releases caused a lot of damage,” he said.
“If you look at the trees and roots showing on the opposite bank, there are big problems.
“We’re trying to address it, but there are a lot of bodies to go through to work out who is going to foot the bill.
“We’ve been trying to sort it out for the past two years, but the problem is that no-one is putting their hand up to pay.
“It’s a major problem.”
For the past 50 years, Yarrawonga Mulwala Canoe Club has used the area near the boat ramp to house its clubhouse.
Committee member and coach Tim Roadley said he wasn’t concerned about the public having access to the area, he just wanted the popular spot to receive the upgrade it deserves.
“From our perspective we just want to see the area redeveloped for better and safer access to the river,” he said.
Mr Roadley agreed the ramp could be busy during peak times making it difficult for members to access the river.
“But erosion of the embankment is a bigger problem,” he said.
“It has forced authorities to put more rock fill in, which is unsafe for paddlers accessing the river with their kayaks.”
Council’s Director of Infrastructure, Rachael Gadd said the council was aware of the erosion concerns downstream of the boat ramp.
“Council is leading a project with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Goulburn-Murray Water,” Ms Gadd said.
“A design solution has been developed and is being reviewed, and following that we will look to advocate for funding to deliver the solution.”
With stage one of the new public boat ramp at Cullens Road now open, the council says restricting public access at Yarrawonga Holiday Park would allow for better management of the site and improvements to traffic flow.
Cullens Rd boat ramp is much further out of town and locals say the gradient is wrong.
Chair administrator, Graeme Emonson said Cullens Rd had better access, parking and safety, but Steven Ozvacic and his mates disagree.
They say it’s too shallow, the gradient is wrong, and the ramp ends up in shallow water.
“The council claims there's sealed access to it, but the sealed access stops once you get to the gates, then it's just a dirt and crushed rock track, and it's already got four potholes,” Steve said.
“There's always the risk of tree limbs falling, like happened earlier this year when a family was killed.
“And once the water comes up to a certain level, it’s closed, with no access at all.”
Ultimately, for these men and others who use the ramp, the benefits run deeper than fish.
They are mates, and the boat ramp is where they spend time.
“Now I’m getting older, I can’t do what I used to do; I can’t walk miles to the river, but I can drive the car here and walk down,” John said.
“Some of the people who come here are disabled, but they can drive the car here.”
“And we look after each other,” Neil said.
“We’re all socialising; I see Johnny three or four times a week but wouldn’t have a clue where he lives.”
For Steve, John and Neil, the solution is staring them in the face.
They say a permit system would solve any problem.
Stage 2 of Cullen Rd boat ramp includes improvements to the access road and parking area and is due to be completed in spring.
Community engagement closes today.
To learn more and share your feedback visit www.moiramatters.com.au/yarrawonga
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