River users and people enjoying the Clyde River foreshore will benefit from an enhanced new maritime pontoon being delivered as part of the Batemans Bay Bridge project.
Member for Bega Andrew Constance said as construction on the bridge progresses, the community will begin to notice work beginning on foreshore improvements like the floating pontoon, which will deliver more boat berths than originally proposed and better access to the CBD.
“Survey and design work is being carried out for the pontoon which will be located downstream of the existing T-wharf, on the CBD side of the river,” Mr Constance said.
“The pontoon will improve access to the foreshore and town centre and increase berthing opportunities for river users when it opens for use.”
Mr Constance said the design of the pontoon will reflect feedback from the Foreshore Advisory Committee and wider community on the project’s Urban Design and Landscape Plan.
Locals and visitors to Batemans Bay can also expect to see the deck of the new bridge nearing completion by the end of the year.
“The community can expect to see most of the five piers connected to form the superstructure of the bridge in place by the end of the year, with the northern and middle sections of the new bridge to be completed first,” Mr Constance said.
“The project has already hit an important milestone with more than 50 per cent of the segments needed to build the new bridge now in place and the bridge will be partially opened to two lanes of traffic by mid-2021, weather permitting.”
“Planning is also being carried out for a new artwork on the southern foreshore to pay tribute to the existing bridge and a public mural on the northern abutment of the new bridge that will celebrate the region's heritage and cultural values.”
Transport for NSW will also be temporarily opening the new Wharf Road off ramp from the Princes Highway to allow quicker access to Wharf Road and the holiday parks from Friday 9 October until mid-2021.
More information on the floating pontoon and other foreshore features will be available in coming months. The project remains on track for completion by early 2023.
Harry Watson Smith of the Batmans Bay Boating Association welcomed the annoncement saying "The artist impression clearly shows how more activity will take place on the Batemans Bay Foreshore and re-energise this area."
"All the Association wishes for is for Council in the new Draft Plan for the Foreshore is to maintain the Clyde Street Boat Ramp and place a pontoon adjacent to this to assist less able boaters and fishers use their boats and access the proposed pontoons on the foreshore and the upper reaches of the Clyde River", Mr Watson Smith said.
Above: Artist impression of the new pontoon, indicative only and subject to change.
