The $1.48million revamped Koolewong Boat Ramp was officially opened this afternoon by Central Coast Council and Roads and Maritime Services.

Recreational boaters on the Central Coast can now enjoy the extensively upgraded Koolewong boat ramp and surrounding foreshore.

Council Acting Director Assets, Infrastructure and Business, Boris Bolgoff said the upgrade had delivered what was promised – an enhanced experience for boating enthusiasts.

“In addition to providing more user-friendly, recreational boating infrastructure, this extensive upgrade will increase usage capacity, from now, well into the future,” Mr Bolgoff said.

“Not only have we constructed a dual-lane boat ramp with an on-ramp pontoon and an L-shaped floating pontoon, but we have also delivered improvements to car parking, as well as landscaping and ancillary works.

“This upgrade is just one of six boating infrastructure projects we will deliver in the next year, with Council investing a combined total of $2.29million across these projects.”

Mayor Jane Smith said one of Council’s priorities is to deliver enhanced recreational experiences on the Coast and the delivery of this upgrade meets that need for the growing number of boating enthusiasts, and the broader community.

“Recreational boating is a popular pastime in New South Wales, with over 515,000 people in the state holding a boat licence, and 233,000 people with a registered boat and there are plenty here right on the Coast,” said Mayor Smith.

“With its close proximity to the freeway, Koolewong is the perfect place for such a facility, as it can be utilised by both locals and boaters visiting the area for the day.”

This project is jointly funded by Central Coast Council and a $750,000 contribution from the NSW Government’s Boating Now Program.

NSW Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin said the delivery of this upgrade through the Boating Now Program was a great example of how different levels of government can proactively work together.

“Since starting the Boating Now Program back in 2014, we have been able to commit funding to more than 250 boating projects across 50 local government areas in NSW,” Mr Martin said.

“There are an additional two Boating Now projects under way in the Gosford electorate, which have been made possible with $1.42 million Boating Now funding.