Proposed Development

History of the boat ramp

The existing ramp at Bastion Point was built some 40 years ago when the town was a lot smaller and the ocean was easily accessible through the entrance to Mallacoota Inlet. It is a small concrete slab that is cracked and is at times silted over, however it is still usable by beach launching methods. Eastern Victoria’s Abalone Industry is centered in Mallacoota and the ramp is currently used as the Industry’s main launching and landing point. Commercial fishers use the ramp with tractors, 4 wheel drives and modified trailers. The ramp is also used by local recreational boat operators using conventional and 4 wheel drive vehicles. Tourists use conventional and 4×4 vehicles or by hiring a tractor and driver.

The development of a new boat ramp at Bastion Point has been a contentious issue within the community for approximately 20 years. Various studies have been commissioned by the Shire over the course of 10 years. There are engineering and economic studies which for the most part were all done by the same consulting company and have all met with significant criticism by members of the community due to the flawed methodology and data and inappropriate scale of the development for the Bastion Point area.

On two previous occasions the East Gippsland Shire Council has submitted boat ramp/ breakwater proposals to the Minister, neither of which were approved due to the large scale of development and strong community opposition. Given the degree of community opposition to the proposed development, in 2000, the then Minister for Planning determined that the EGSC would need to undertake an Environment Effects Statement (EES) on any boat ramp/ breakwater development.

While the community acknowledges that something should be done about the existing boat ramp and surrounding area, it does not agree with the large-scale inappropriate developments that have been proposed by the East Gippsland Shire Council in the past or now.