Council Approves New Howqua Boat Ramp Location

Published on 28 April 2023

Residents and visitors in the Howqua area are a step closer to having a new public boat ramp, after a proposed location was endorsed at the Council Meeting on 18 April 2023.

The confirmation of the boat ramp location, referred to as “Howqua East”, will enable the design and construction of a new high-level concrete boat ramp operating between Lake Eildon’s Full Supply Level and 79% Supply Level. The ramp will be readily accessible from Mansfield-Woods Point Road, approximately 400m east of Lake Drive, Howqua Inlet.

There is currently no public boat ramp providing access to the lake between the existing ramp locations at Goughs Bay and Jamieson. Residents and community groups began advocating for a ramp in 2015, submitting a petition to Council and Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) with approximately 500 signatures.

The “Howqua East” location was selected following extensive community engagement in 2022 and 2023 to find the best location for a new ramp and to identify any potential concerns from community members needing to be addressed in the final design.

“Residents and visitors have been asking for a boat ramp in this area for a long time, with the growth we’ve seen in the area and the increasing demand for access to Lake Eildon,” said Mayor Cr James Tehan.

“We’ve listened to community members throughout the engagement process, and this has allowed us to make the best decision for the whole community, where we can achieve the greatest benefits from a ramp with the least possible impact.”

“We recognise our community’s passion for the area and will continue to engage with those who are closely affected.”

The Victorian Government has provided funding to undertake planning through the Better Boating Fund, which reinvests boaters’ registration and licence fees. Better Boating Victoria is currently in the process of engaging a consultant to undertake the detailed design work for the ramp. The ramp is planned to be complemented by an additional low-to-mid-level ramp in the future, at a location yet to be confirmed.

For more information on this project contact Council’s Capital Works Team on 5775 8555 or email council@mansfield.vic.gov.au