Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project

In recent years, there has been an increase in coastal management challenges at Maria Creek and Council’s broader coastline.

These challenges exacerbated the need for Council to undertake significant dredging and earthwork campaigns at Maria Creek in an attempt to keep the boat launching facility open and navigable. This proved to be extremely challenging and costly.

Council acknowledged that short-term solutions to maintain the recreational boating facility were not sustainable and proceeded to focus on providing a long-term solution that is financially sustainable through an affordable capital solution.

Council progressed its objective to find a financially sustainable solution by engaging Wavelength Consulting Pty Ltd to deliver Stage 1 of the Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project, which considered a wider set of key objectives that include the surrounds, being:

Provide a jetty that services the community and visitors;
Provide a boat launching facility during peak times (October to May) that is financially sustainable (low maintenance) through an affordable capital solution;
To create opportunity to activate open spaces and facilities; and
Consider natural processes of the coastal environment.

In February 2021, a business case for the reinstatement of the Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility was developed. A key finding of this report was that if the project were to proceed, and no substantial rate increases were imposed, there would be significant detrimental impact on Council’s financial sustainability.

Accordingly, in February 2021 Council unanimously arrived at an ‘in principle’ position that it not proceed with the reinstatement of the Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility unless it was confident that ratepayers as a whole, would be willing to pay to meet the on-going costs.

To determine ratepayers opinion on this matter, a survey was circulated, providing two options. At the close of the survey, the following results were achieved:

78% I support Council’s ‘in principle’ position

Accepts loss of Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility
Remaining option of Cape Jaffa Boat Ramp and Faun Trackway/beach launching at Johnston Avenue, Kingston
Further consider effects and options of ‘removal’ for jetty amenity (or ‘do nothing’)

21% I am willing to pay a significant rate increase for the reinstatement of the facility

Reinstate Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility $7.6m capital/minimum $626,200 ongoing
Accept average rate revenue increase of 15%-19%

1% Invalid

Having considered the survey results, Council endorsed its ‘in principle’ position that it does not proceed with the reinstatement of the Maria Creek Boat Launching Facility.

A variety of information on the project including summary fact sheets, frequently asked questions, technical notes, concept study and business case, are available for interested parties via the links below.

Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project

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Maria Creek Sustainable Infrastructure Project

Fact Sheets

Concept Study/Technical Notes

Business Case

Community Focus Group

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