Users of the Beachport boat ramp are set to be heavily subsidised again in the coming financial year.
Wattle Range Council’s draft budget for 2024/25 reveals the daily fee will remain at the same $10 rate and this has been unchanged for several years.
The recommended charges for other categories are also static with levies payable being $40 weekly, $115 per year and $300 for professionals.
At those rates, the anticipated income for the council in 2024/25 is $24,000 going on past usage.
The draft budget shows a far greater amount is needed to maintain the recreational boat ramp.
Indeed, a five-fold increase in fee revenue would be needed to break even.
The continuation of the dredging program has been costed at $120,000 while the boat ramp toilets require a $4000 upgrade.
Meanwhile, the nearby professional boat ramp and boatyard is managed by the State Government and its storage and other fees have steadily increased in the past
decade.
For example, the annual storage fee for the 50 professional lobster boats is around $5000 and this is a $1000 increase on 10 years ago.
The storage fee also allows use of the yard’s facilities including the slipway.
