Rosebud Pier Condition

[fishing_dave]

After the strong northerlies the last few months the old pier ( I say old because it has been there longer than we have ) has taken a battering. The end is fenced off, the 2 docking arms on either side have been demolished, you can only fish up to the fenced of area, (wont encourage the climbing over of the cyclone fence).

The pylons holding it up are a disgrace, not much timber left, holes through them all. The word is from the locals is that it wont be fixed or discussed untill after the election, apparently Parks or council just dont have the $$$$.

It sounds like the same as whats happening with the Altona boat ramp,

If thats the case, whats happening with all our $$$ that we are putting into the worlds greatest past time.

Come Parks Victoria and the councils concerned, DO SOMETHING, AND DONT DEMOLISH IT.

Dave

[amup]

whats happening with the altona boat ramp can you still use it or isit out of commission

[salmon-head]

Altona is still open, just silted up alot.

Dave,
Does this restrict you sending a balloon out for your toothies??

Dave/

[fishing_dave]

Dave.

you need to jump the fence and there is a sign saying, no entry keep out.

dave

[triman]

Regarding the Altona Ramp here is a post I put up on another forum.

"Sent an e-mail to the Hobsons Bay Council today with some questions.

"Last Friday I requested a copy of the notice to users concerning the downgrading of the Altona Boat Ramp from an all-weather all tide facility to something a lot less useable for a boatowner.
I received this yesterday, with thanks.
Upon reading it there were a few things that concern me.
1. The Notice to Mariners referred to was issued in August by Parks Victoria yet the letter was drafted on November 21.
2. There is a statement to the effect that Council does not have funds to dredge the ramp and approaches to return it to full useability.

Given the above could you please provide answers to the following questions.
1. Who operates/owns the ramp, Hobsons Bay Council or Parks Victoria?
2. Who is responsible for maintenance and upgrade dredging of the ramp and approaches?
3. What are the estimated costings of returning the ramp and approaches to full useability?
4. The letter refers to Parking Fees at the Altona Ramp, yet the Council Budget documents, Appendix E, page 77, calls the fees “launch fees”;
Appendix E, page 77,
“Boat Launch Fees
Daily Launch Fee 14.00 14.00
Annual Launch Fee - Local Residents 80.00 80.00
Annual Launch Fee - Non-Residents 160.00 160.00
Daily Launch Fee - Senior Card Holders N / A N / A
Daily Launch Fee - Pensioners N / A N / A
Annual Launch Fee - Local Resident Pensioners 50.00 50.00
Annual Launch Fee - Non Resident Pensioners 77.00 77.00
5. What is the amount collected from launch/parking fees in and around the Altona ramp, and collected in parking fines?
6. Where is this money expended?
7. Has an approach been made to the local Member, Lynne Kosky, or a relevant Minister, to see if any funds are available from other sources, including boat rego etc, to cover the cost of dredging?
8. In section 6.2.2 of the budget there is an entry to the effect that $120,000 is to be spent on “Altona Boat Ramp Upgrade”;
6.2.2 Land Improvements ($3.009 million)
For the 2007/2008 year, $3.009 million will be expended on land improvement projects.
The more significant projects include Playgrounds ($285,000), Laverton Creek Trail ($240,000), Sporting Grounds ($180,000), Tennis Facilities ($170,000), Pier Street ($150,000), Bryan Martin Oval ($130,000), Altona Boat Ramp Upgrade ($120,000), Logan Reserve ($112,000) and Minor Reserves and Parks Upgrades ($102,000).
What is this amount set aside for, why is the item carried over from the previous year and where was the external funding of $144,000 sourced from?
9. Given that the Council seems to have pocketed $24,000 from the Altona Boat Ramp Upgrade where will this money be spent?
10. What was the cost of writing, printing and mailing the notice to boat ramp users?"


I'm not confident of a rapid reply.

[Duffy]

As a person who has always held Altona as a great ramp.I am dismayed to hear what has happened.As I have shifted further south east & probably will not use that ramp again-I will probably use The warmies limited though it is.As I understand councils take the money for parking & are not responsible for Dredging but if BMYS can do it surely the people responsible can do it.Is this related to the troubles at Altona?Is it as has been suggested a violent ramp?Can the Bozos that wreck the machine at altona be held accountable?

[triman]

Every now and then one's faith in the "public service" is restored.
Today I had an e-mailed reply to my e-mail of 4th December, as follows. Names and addresses have been cut to protect the innocent;

"BOAT RAMP ENQUIRY
Thank you for your email of 4 December 2007. In response to your request for information. I can advise;
• The Altona Boat Ramp and Safe Harbour is on Council freehold land and Crown land, and is managed by the Hobsons Bay City Council with responsibility for dredging.
• The estimated cost to dredge the access channel is $150,000 - $200,000 (depending on weather and amount of material removed). This is almost twice the value of annual user fees. The estimated cost to upgrade the launching ramps and car park is $270,000. This is almost twice the value of the State Government and grant received.
• The launch fees for both boat ramps in Hobsons Bay (Altona and Newport) is $120,000. It is estimated that $80,000 revenue would be attributed to Altona. No income from parking fees was collected in 2006/07.
• All funds are expended in maintaining and operating the facility.
• The State Government, through the community cabinet held at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre in 2005, was approached directly for funding assistance and every opportunity has been taken to apply for funding assistance.
• $120,000 is budgeted to be spent on the Altona Boat for operations (dredging) and maintenance in addition to the $144,000 State Government grant.
• The cost of notifying boat ramp users (in response to numerous reports to the Council of thousands of dollars damage done to boats through grounding) was approximately $800.00.

Thank you for your interest in this matter."

So there we have it. Not sure what it all means, especially the bit about no parking fees having been collected. maybe that means no-one was pinged for illegal parking, however, contrary to various assertions made by the Black Cat, Hobsons Bay clearly state that launch fees are collected at Altona and the Warmies.