“A wonderful recreational facility” is how the new floating jetty at Wyangala Dam, opened on Monday, was described.
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Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the floating jetty – located just inside the park adjacent to the main boat ramp – will enable boat users to tie up vessels regardless of the water level.
The 100-metre long platform rises and falls with the water and so remains usable regardless of how full the dam is.
“This is such a beautiful area and I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon than on a boat on Wyangala Dam," Ms Cooke said.
VIDEO: Trying out the new jetty ...
“People come camping here, they stay in the cabins here, they really enjoy it and to think we have this innovative piece of infrastructure here which means in it doesn’t matter how high or low the water goes boats can move in and out of the area.”
Ms Cooke said the NSW government provided $75,850 towards the $90,150 project to improve access to the popular waterway, managed by Reflections Holiday Parks, part of the NSW Crown Holiday Parks Trust.
“This will make boat launching and retrieval more enjoyable by allowing safer and faster access for boaties regardless of the changing water level of the dam,” Ms Cooke said.
VIDEO: Monday’s announcement at Wyangala Dam ...
“It’s more of an attraction to come here knowing that people can get their boats out quickly and safely and we’ll have more users on the lake with their fishing and skiing.”
Cowra Shire councillor and Cowra Tourism chairman Ray Walsh described the jetty as “a wonderful asset for the area”.
“Over the years we’ve experienced from 60,000 to 80,000 people through the gate at Wyangala State Park and this can only add to that,” he said.
“I think it can only be a wonderful asset for Wyangala.”
Regional manager for Reflections James Armstrong said the platform is built to carry a lot of weight.
“It’s really good for all of the local boating,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Even the guys who come out fishing (on their own) will be able to launch their boats safely.
“I’m sure people will also be jumping off the end of it, they’ll love it, in summer it’ll be great. I think people will come just to use the boat ramp.
Mr Armstrong compared the jetty to Lego bricks, explaining it is easy to “put it back together and push it in and out”.
“It’s anchored down with sea anchors so it is quite stable,” Mr Armstrong said of the hard re-enforced plastic structure that can carry the weight of heavy machinery.
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