Marine Infrastructure and Safety Plan 2021-2025
Updated April 2023
Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) has now transitioned to a new funding format with an infrastructure and safety plan to replace the 20-year-old Recreational Boating Fund. The infrastructure plan allows MAST to focus on projects and commence what can be sometimes a lengthy approval process to ensure infrastructure upgrades are “shovel” ready when the funding is available. The plan also allows MAST to allocate funds to specific safety initiatives to make boating safer and more enjoyable for all. The total spend on infrastructure and safety initiatives through the funding is $1.6 million per annum.
Purpose
The Marine Infrastructure Plan sets the parameters and guidelines for the delivery of new and updated recreational boating facilities and services in Tasmania over the next five years by Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST).
MAST wishes to continue to ensure that funds invested in infrastructure are used efficiently and effectively and that these funds are supplemented, where possible, with additional funds from facility owners. These owners may be local Councils, Hydro Tasmania, Inland Fisheries Service and other organisations who are prepared to offer the public access to their marine facilities. MAST will also continue to source separate State Government and Commonwealth Funding where available.
It is MAST’s aim to provide the recreational boating public with the best infrastructure possible and to ensure there remains transparency around where registration and licence fees are spent.
The need for a 5-year plan
Over a number of years, the time taken to obtain approvals from the various agencies and councils has increased significantly. As a result, there has been a need to carry forward expenditure from both funding streams (Registration and Licence fees) from one financial year to the next. This creates uncertainty in the delivery of projects.
With the complexities of marine construction, delays are also experienced through a shortage of suitable contractors and adverse weather conditions. Historically the best time for construction is late summer, autumn and very early into winter. However, with the delays experienced due to the approvals process, this is not always achievable.
The 5-year Marine Infrastructure and Safety Plan enables MAST to define the projects it wishes to undertake over this period, obtain all the necessary approvals and cost estimates and appoint contractors well in advance of the scheduled construction time frame. It also allows for MAST to plan safety initiatives as required in an endeavour to drive the fatality rate in Tasmania towards zero.
The Marine Infrastructure and Safety Plan provides time for MAST to consult with facility owners about proposed improvements. This, in turn, provides the facility owners with time to budget for contributions towards the improvements.
It is important that flexibility remains within the plan and that it remains under regular review. It may need to be amended if strategic direction changes with infrastructure projects or safety initiatives. It is also important that the plan can be changed to meet the boating publics needs and expectations.
Funding for Larger Projects
Funding is provided through the combination of both the old RBF and Licence Funds, provide $1.3 million annually, depending on registration renewal and licence renewal uptake. This amount may increase over the five-year period if there is an increase in registrations and licences. This funding may also increase with contributions from facility owners.
Proposed Larger Projects
New infrastructure and upgrades to existing infrastructure have been identified through a desk top audit by three experienced MAST staff who have been involved in facilities for a combined period of 58 years at MAST. These staff were involved in an initial audit in 2005.
The projects listed below are in no particular order but will be prioritised post consultation. Cost estimates for the projects will then be prepared and the approvals process can be commenced.
The proposed projects are state-wide and would enhance recreational boating and safety in each location and region.
As stated previously, flexibility within the Plan may mean that priorities change due to user needs, approval processes and funding availability.
Any changes to this Plan will be communicated to stakeholders.
| Project | Comments | Financial Year |
|---|---|---|
| Design Drawings and Consultation | Port Davey, Apex Point, Pirates Bay – completed Margate – work in progress. | 2019-2020 |
| Port Davey | Mooring piles at Melaleuca, rebuild Claytons Jetty and ringbolts at Wombat Cove. With PWS for landowner approval. Delays anticipated. | 2020-2021 |
| Stanley Harbour | Berthing pontoon. Planning approval granted, tenders called. Project completed. | 2020-2021 |
| Dover | Widen access area, add second ramp lane and rebuild walkway. Project completed. | 2020-2021 |
| Burns Bay | Overlay boat ramp apron. Project completed. | 2021-2022 |
| Apex Point – Nubeena | Reconfiguration and expansion to ramp and walkway. Project completed. | 2021-2022 |
| Weymouth | Breakwater repairs. Work in progress. Anticipated completion 30 September 2023. | 2021-2022 |
| Safety and Navigation | Completed. | 2021-2022 |
| Little Pine Lagoon | Launch area upgrade – wprk in progress. Anticipated completion 30 May 2023. | 2022-2023 |
| Pirates Bay | Third ramp lane – not proceeding. Walkway extension proceeding. With PWS for landowner approval. | 2022-2023 |
| Burnie | New walkway down right hand side of outer boat ramp – work in progress. Anticipated completion 30 November 2023. | 2022-2023 |
| Coles Bay | Extend Freemans Jetty. With PWS for landowner approval. | 2022-2023 |
| Safety and Navigation | Work in progress. | 2022-2023 |
| Dodges Ferry | Third ramp lane and new walkway. Discussions with Sorell Council (facility owner) commenced. | 2023-2024 |
| Port Sorell | Lift car level. | 2023-2024 |
| Dru Point – Margate | Wave attenuator wall | 2023-2024 |
| Safety and Navigation | 2023-2024 | |
| Clarence Point – Tamar River | New walkway or pontoon | 2024-2025 |
| Prosser River | Replace walkway with pontoon | 2024-2025 |
| Penguin | Low tide ramp – reconstruct end of boat ramp. Discussions with Central Coast Council (facility owner) commenced. | 2024-2025 |
| Safety and Navigation | 2024-2025 | |
| Little Swanport | Upgrade carpark. Early design and planning approvals commenced. | 2025-2026 |
| Sisters Beach | New walkway | 2025-2026 |
| Safety and Navigation | 2025-2026 |
Small Boating Fund
In addition to the $1.3 million provided annually for larger projects, MAST provides $300 000 per annum to fund smaller projects and safety and navigation initiatives to up to $75 000. The public and facility owners are encouraged to apply to fund projects under the Small Boating Fund (SBF). Examples of such projects may include navigation aids, fendering, small walkway or pontoon, ramp overlay, re-decking a walkway, ramp solar lighting etc.
The SBF is open year-round, and applications can be submitted at any time during the year.
Applications are assessed internally against the criteria specified on the application form by a committee of four staff.
Through this process stakeholders may also suggest larger projects to be included in the Marine Infrastructure and Safety Plan.
Small Boating Fund application forms are available from the MAST website (see below) or email admin@mast.tas.gov.au or by phoning MAST on (03) 6235 8888.
A list of all projects funded by MAST and others since 1998 can also be viewed by clicking on the appropriate pdf file below.
If you have any concerns regarding the suitability of a project, please contact the Recreational Boating Team at MAST on (03) 6235 8888 or email admin@mast.tas.gov.au