Update: March 21, 2019
Recfishwest are pleased to report Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has announced that the Canal Rocks boat ramp will remain open for all users!
This is a fantastic win for the South West fishing and boating community who worked hard to ensure that an independent risk assessment was undertaken following concerns of the ramps closure in 2017.
The report from this assessment recommended the Canal Rocks boat ramp remain open for public use, with ongoing works to improve its safety.
This comes as great news on the eve of some of the best fishing and boating weather in the South West. Fishers spend $2.4 billion on fishing annually, and decisions such as this support access to high quality fishing experiences.
Recfishwest were proud to work alongside the community in their endeavour to ensure this important piece of infrastructure remained open for all.
We look forward to seeing some great catches taken out from Canal Rocks this Autumn.
Read the Ministers announcement here.
Update: August 31, 2018
Recfishwest attended a risk assessment workshop in Busselton today along with members of local fishing clubs and sea rescue groups to provide advice on Canal Rocks boat ramp.
December 14, 2017
Avid followers of our communications would have seen the article published in the November edition of Recfishwest Broadcast outlining the Environment Minister’s plans to close the Canal Rocks boat ramp, located near Yallingup in the states South West.
Although no decision has been made, Recfishwest can report that the following actions have taken place since our last update:
- Recfishwest wrote to the Minister in October. We received a response to this letter on December 13.
- The Minister has met with representatives from the City of Busselton and has agreed to await a review of the original engineering report that is being conducted by the City.
- Recfishwest has lodged a request to obtain the advice the Minister received from Risk Cover which was cited as the reason for closing the ramp.
- In early December we sent the Minister another letter accompanied with a petition filled out by over 4,000 people.
- Local member of parliament Libby Mettam presented a grievance in the upper house of parliament.
- Recfishwest has presented the Minister for Environment and the City of Busselton with an alternative Australian Standard which we believe is more appropriate for open ocean boat ramps.
- There have been two editorials in the West Australian about this ramp and several letters to the editor proving this is an important issue and with the West Coast Demersal closure finishing on Saturday, December 16 the Minister likely to see what an important asset this ramp is for the community.
Recfishwest will continue to advocate that the boat ramp remains open and will keep our readers informed of any new developments, watch this space.
