Manurewa boating community is celebrating after Weymouth boat ramp is set to get the much-awaited upgrade.
With funding from Manurewa Local Board, the repaired boat ramp will provide the community with better access to the harbour. This work aligns with the outcome identified in its Local Board Plan to ensure ‘people in Manurewa are actively connecting everywhere, every day’.
The work will happen in two stages. The first stage covers the initial repair and renewal of the ramp, while the second stage covers work to enhance the experience of using the boat ramp.
The upgrade is music to Weymouth Boat Club Commodore Ray Stock who says it will mean safer and better accessible boat ramp closer to home.
“The community has waited more than nine years to get this ramp in better shape. This upgrade would be brilliant and will allow a lot more people to use the boat ramp, especially those with waka (ama) as they are there every day,” he says.
“People with bigger boats who used to go to Onehunga to launch will now have a suitable ramp close to home. Because of its proximity to the airport, police are here every time people are reported missing or overdue. The upgraded ramp will mean better access and lower number of such issues.
“Ultimately, all these would increase the number of users of waka, sailing, fishing, boating and jet ski from our local community. It’s great news.”
The first phase of the upgrade is expected to start in the winter of 2019 and be completed in Spring 2019. It will include:
- Increased removal of materials from the shore on the north and east faces of the ramp
- Correcting the height of the ramp crest, and increasing its width
- Increasing the amount of gravel on the ramp surface and making sure the ramp gradient is consistent.
Works for the second stage are expected to begin in the summer of 2020 and be completed by autumn of 2020. It will include:
- Improvements to the ramp entrance (turning circle)
- Correction to underground services including manholes and outlets.
