Tunks Park upgrade allows greater access to Sydney Harbour

by Paul McLeay - Minister for Ports & Waterways on 6 May 2010 Boating access to Middle Harbour has been significantly improved, thanks to a $385,000 upgrade of facilities at Tunks Park, Cammeray.

Minister for Ports and Waterways, Paul McLeay and North Sydney Council Mayor, Genia McCaffery, today officially opened the new and upgraded boating facilities.

Mr McLeay said the upgraded boat ramp pontoon facility, was fully funded by NSW Maritime under the Better Boating Program.

'I am very pleased to officially open this new and improved facility for the benefit of local residents and visitors who enjoy recreational boating on Middle Harbour. These improved resources will provide greater community access to our stunning harbour.'

• The project involved replacing the old pontoon and jetty with a new concrete floating pontoon and gangway which provides disability access.
• The step at one end of the pontoon will give greater access for passive craft such as kayaks and canoes.
• It will also reduce waiting times during launch and retrieval as well as ease congestion on the boat ramp.

Mr McLeay congratulated North Sydney Council on their project management of the upgrades.

Mr McLeay said NSW Maritime had provided more than $25 million in grants supporting more than 470 projects across NSW since 1998 - from dinghy storage racks and boat ramps to jetties and vessel sewage pump-out facilities.

'These grants are about planning for the future and making sure the community has safe access to facilities which help them get out and about on our waterways,' Mr McLeay said.

NSW Maritime Better Boating grants have received a funding boost, with $5 million per annum dedicated over the next five years. More details on the grants program is available at www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/cv/infra_grants.html

• The $385,000 upgrade was completely funded by the NSW Government, (through the Better Boating Program) and project managed by North Sydney Council.
• In 2009/10, NSW Maritime’s Better Boating Program is supporting 74 projects across the state:
o 57 projects in regional NSW
o 9 projects in Sydney Harbour
o 8 water based projects as part of the Sharing Sydney Harbour Access Program