Warrnambool City Council is committed to safer launching and retrieval of boats in Lady Bay In Warrnambool, boating has long been a challenge An 1867 report proposed a port and breakwater. In 1887, after two decades of discussion, the breakwater was built. Once the decision was made, it took eight years to complete It was extended by 100m in the 1910s In the modern era, Council has moved cautiously when it comes to structural modifications in Lady Bay Some believe more infrastructure to cater for more fishing boats would provide an economic boon for Warrnambool Others believe making changes could damage what it is people love about Lady Bay Lady Bay’s future has many stakeholders Boaters The next generation Sailors Walkers Walkers Residents Surfers Developers Anglers Environmentalists CoastCare Cyclists Business Tourists Joggers Government Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Australian boat launching standards recommend launching in waves of less than 20cm All three safer boating options now before the community for discussion will make launching and retrieval of boats significantly safer. Picture: Dan Atkinson Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay The bay is already a dynamic environment Changing or modifying the breakwater could have consequences elsewhere along the bay The Port of Warrnambool In summary . The Port of Warrnambool is located in a sensitive coastal environment. Warrnambool’s identity draws heavily from its coastline. While alterations to this environment have occurred over time, there is a need to consider potential impacts on both the land and marine ecology. Alterations to harbour facilities, coastal, and marine environments are heavily regulated at State and Federal levels. It will be important to understand and avoid potentially harmful impacts on the natural environment including the Merri Marine Sanctuary. Issues of potential changes to sea level and storm / swell conditions as a result of climate change have been fully considered. Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay In late 2014 Warrnambool City Council established technical and community reference groups to investigate options to make launching and retrieving boats at Lady Bay safer. The reference groups comprising scientists, Lady Bay user group representatives and members of the public, identified three preferred safer boating options. Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Option A B C The time under each option 90% 100% 100% that waves at the boat ramp would be below 20cm (Australian standard for boat launching) Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Option A: upgrade existing facilities This option includes continued dredging (hatched area), widening the boat ramp and constructing it from porous material to diffuse wave energy. It is expected that this would make launching and retrieval of boats possible 90% of the time (for the remainder the of time it is likely that conditions would be unsuitable for smaller craft beyond the Breakwater). Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Option B: artificial groyne with spur breakwater A 110m long spur breakwater could be expected to provide additional reductions in wave heights. The artificial headland or groyne will help stabilise the beach to the north and reduce the amount of dredging required at the ramp. Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Option C: fully enclosed harbour Locating the boat ramp within a fully enclosed harbour would also eliminate any swell wave action at the ramp. Care would need to be taken with the design to avoid possible “seiching” (resonance) issues related to long waves. Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Groynes can be constructed from rocks or alternative materials including sand bags Portsea foreshore on the Mornington Peninsular Queensland coast between Cardwell and Innisfail Maroochy River mouth on the Sunshine Coast Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Severe erosion taking place along the beach South of the MaroochyClifton River Springs, mouth near was beginningGeelong to jeopardise The Cotton Tree Caravan Park on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland was protected via geotextile bags Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay South of the Maroochy River mouth at Maroochydore Severe erosion taking place along the beach South of the Maroochy RiverBack mouth of St was Leonards beginning offto jeopardiseGeelong The Cotton Tree Caravan Park on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland was protected via geotextile bags Safer boat launching and retrieval at Lady Bay Severe erosion taking place along the beach South of the Maroochy River mouth was beginning to jeopardise a caravan park on the Sunshine Coast. It was protected via geotextile bags. Measuring waves - 2013 Effects of dredging on wave height .