The space has been upgraded to cater for more of the community, particularly through a Disability Discrimination Act-compliant ramp and floating pontoon with a crane for wheelchair users.
Improvements to the facility were included in Campaspe Shire Council’s 2018 Victoria Park Masterplan and were supported through the Victorian Government’s 2022 Universal Design Grants Funding Round.
“It’s been a long time in the making,” Cr Luke Sharrock said.
“A lot of planning has gone into ... ease of use, for making that experience so they can enjoy the river safely.”
Project manager Paul van der Sluys drew on the universality of the boat ramp, particularly the addition of a pontoon.
“We’ve tried to make the access universal for everyone, there’s no ‘you use this ramp, you use that ramp’,” he said.
“Everyone goes to the same spot.
“The addition of the pontoon ... has opened up access to the river.”
Community user David Wadge echoed the improvements for a range of user groups.
This includes people with disabilities, mobility problems and parents with prams.
“It’s not just for disabilities and wheelchairs,” he said.
“A big part is parents with pushers who have to contend with steps, or the elderly with walking sticks or any sort of aid they need.
“I’ve even noticed when there is a small boat that belongs to a houseboat, all of a sudden, there’s lots of Coles and Woolies bags on trolleys going up and down.”
Cr Sharrock, who volunteers for NSW Marine Rescue, reflected on the benefits of the site for emergency services.
He said the pontoon in particular was a welcome resource.
“If someone’s hurt (it’s) a point to be able to disembark from,” he said.
“I’d really love to see all your public ramps through the region have some sort of pontoon site.”
Along with the on-water upgrades, the parks and recreation options around the ramp have improved, with the addition of barbecues, toilets, wheelchair accessible seating, a drinking fountain and even a bike maintenance station.
This allows for quick repairs, such as fixing punctures or pumping air into tyres, along with an e-bike charging station in the near future.
Mr van der Sluys noted the positive community feedback he had seen about the project, helped by the funding from the Victorian Government, as well as the Victorian Fisheries Authority through Better Boating Victoria.
“There’s been no negative criticism about the project,” he said.
“To me, it’s a massive success story.
“It’s not one that was under-budgeted or half-done, we’ve actually addressed everyone’s concerns and made a really good, functional user space for everyone.”
Construction for the Victoria Park multipurpose building and change rooms project is set to begin within the next few weeks, with the grant agreement executed this month.
To view this project, head to campaspe.vic.gov.au/Plan-build/Works-projects/Victoria-Park-Echuca
23°C