Brierleys boat ramp facility upgrade

Project: Provide new and improved facilities while recognising Moruya’s North Head for its cultural and heritage values.

Timeframe: October 2023 to March 2024

Status: Complete

Cost and funding: $818,923

  • $700,000 contribution from Transport for NSW's Boating Now Program
  • $118,923 contribution from Council

Page last updated: December 2024

Latest news: April 2024

Our work is done! The car park is sealed, the fish cleaning table is plumbed, the new toilets are open, and the barbeque is sizzling under the picnic shelter.

Project details

We are working to:

  • preserve local Aboriginal cultural heritage
  • make the area more accessible
  • provide new and improved facilities
  • enhance the aesthetics of the area
  • reduce sediment entering the Moruya River

Benefits to the community:

  • improved parking and safety
  • more modern facilities
  • improved accessibility
  • more enjoyable area
Image An aerila image shows a boat ramp leading into a river from a grassed area with a dirt car park.
2023: The boat ramp site before the transformation began. Aerial imagery by Nearmap
Image An unsealed car park sits in grassed area next to a waterway.
January 2024: The new car park has taken shape. Aerial imagery by Nearmap
Image Linemarking sets out parking spaces for vehicles towing boat trailers.
April 2024: The car park is sealed and all set for boat trailers.
Image A table setting and barbeque sit under a picnic shelter with public toilets nearby.
The new picnic shelter, barbeque and toilet facilities.
Image An interpretive sign is next to a pathway leading to a water body.
Interpretive signs explain local Aboriginal cultural heritage and history.
Image A fish cleaning table is positioned on a concrete path next to a large boday of water.
The new fish cleaning table.
Image A concrete path leads to an accessible parking space.
Accessible parking right next to the picnic shelter.
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Background and purpose

We are creating an upgraded and culturally sensitive marine facility that not only enhances accessibility, aesthetics, and the overall quality of the area's amenities but also honours its Aboriginal heritage.

We want to increase the recreational uses of the area by providing a picnic shelter with electric barbeque, drinking water, table and seats. We’ll say goodbye to the old drop toilets and build new facilities complete with an accessible pathway.

To improve the marine facilities specifically, we’ll replace the fish cleaning table, install a solar light nearby and provide a boat engine flushing station.

We will also create a formal car park with a sealed surface and concrete edge strip. There will be line marked parking spaces for 20 trailers and 13 cars, including a designated accessible parking space.

Our design includes interpretive signs explaining the Aboriginal cultural heritage and history of the site. By providing these signs we hope to educate visitors and foster a sense of appreciation and respect. We’ll also revegetate select areas with culturally significant plants, and maintain native grass and bushland to facilitate traditional cultural activities.

These initiatives align with our long-term infrastructure asset management plans and strategies, whilst aiming to meet the community's needs and respecting the region's cultural and historical significance.

We have prepared a plan indicating the proposed works and locations.

Community engagement

Recognising the significance of Moruya's North Head and Garlandtown as areas of significant Aboriginal heritage, we have engaged closely with the local Aboriginal community. This collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive landscape management plan that respects traditional values while ensuring public access.

The establishment of a new heritage conservation area around Brierley's boat ramp builds upon previous Council work, including the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Study, various Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessments for the Moruya Airport redevelopment, and a heritage nomination report.

Project updates

April 2024

  • We've made the final connections to the barbeque and the new toilet block.
  • We finished up on site in time for ANZAC Day.

March 2024

  • We sealed the car park and will soon mark out the parking spaces.
  • The fish cleaning table is hooked up ready for use.
  • Construction of the picnic shelter and toilet facilities are coming along nicely.

January 2024

  • We returned to site at the end of the school holiday period to continue with the upgrade. Work includes sealing the car park, plumbing up the fish cleaning table and building the other facilities.

December 2023

  • We've extended the car park, and the boat ramp is open. We'll return later to seal the car park, plumb up the fish cleaning table and build the other facilities.

October 2023

  • Our construction crew arrived on site and started on the upgrade.

September 2023

  • Preliminary work got underway to provide a water supply to site.
  • Our design team finalised the plans for the upgrade and construction work was scheduled to kick off next month.

More information

For more information, please contact our Senior Project Engineer, George Workman: