Blacksmiths boat ramp upgrade under way to improve lake access

newy.com.au – Work is under way on a $2 million upgrade of the Blacksmiths boat ramp, with Lake Macquarie City Council moving to replace the ageing facility at one of Swansea Channel’s busiest access points.

The project will deliver a new concrete boat ramp with underwater scour protection mattresses, along with two floating pontoon jetties and gangways to improve access for anglers and other boaties using the channel and Lake Macquarie.

The northern pontoon will be longer than the existing single pontoon and will include solar lighting and mooring cleats. Once complete, the ramp will have three marked lanes and meet current accessibility and safety requirements.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the existing ramp had reached the end of its useful life and needed to be replaced.

“We undertook some temporary works in 2023 to extend its service life, but these upgrades will ensure it remains a valuable community asset for many years to come,” he said.

The project is partly funded through the Australian Government’s Priority Community Infrastructure Program, which supports community and sporting infrastructure, open space improvements and other local priorities. The remaining cost will be covered through council’s asset replacement funds.

Member for Shortland Pat Conroy said the Blacksmiths upgrade, together with long-term dredging of Swansea Channel, would make access to the lake safer and easier for local users.

“Collaboration between Lake Macquarie Council and the federal government for upgrades like this shows what’s possible when both local and federal governments work together to deliver for local boaties,” he said.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager City Projects Adam Wakeman said the ramp would be closed for five to six months while construction is carried out, with the facility expected to reopen in time for the peak summer season, weather permitting.

Boaties are being directed to nearby alternatives during the closure, including Pelican boat ramp at Pelican Foreshore Reserve, Swansea boat ramp off The Esplanade and Marks Point boat ramp at Naru Reserve. A full list and map of boat ramps and jetties across Lake Macquarie is available through Lake Macquarie City Council’s website.