Construction of a Binalong Bay breakwater looks set to go ahead, with the Break O'Day Council poised to accept ownership of the proposed infrastructure at its June 27 meeting. Despite voicing its support for the project, council has expressed a reluctance to take on ownership of the breakwater; nominating Marine and Safety Tasmania as its preferred suitor for the infrastructure following a council meeting in April.
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However, an understanding that potential maintenance costs could be covered by MAST’s recreational boating fund is expected to be enough to convince council to accept ownership of the breakwater. The Binalong Bay Community Group has been advocating for a breakwater for several years in an effort to improve safety at the Binalong Bay boat ramp.
BBCG president Phillip Frith said he was pleased the upgrade was finally taking shape and thanked council for its role in helping the project progress.
“I appreciate the effort they've gone to in negotiating with MAST, and they have taken over the ownership and responsibility for ongoing maintenance so that's a very good result for the security of the boat ramp, any users, and the community as a whole down there,” Mr Frith said. “We're still waiting on a decision from MAST but they have that information now that the Break O'Day Council will take ownership, so we are now waiting for confirmation from MAST on our application for the breakwater - apparently the decision will be made in the next week or so.”
Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker said a completion date for the breakwater would depend on whether appeals are made against the project going ahead.
“Whilst council maintains that this infrastructure should be the responsibility of MAST, we have agreed to take ownership of the project because we recognise how important this project is to the community,” Mr Tucker said.
“At the end of the day it was an issue about safety and we wanted to do the right thing by our community. The efforts of the Binalong Bay Community Group in getting this project off the ground should be commended and we hope that they will be successful in securing funding for the project.”