Help us test a new boat ramp surface 🚤
Shellharbour City Council is trialling a new surface on one of the western boat ramps at Shell Cove Marina.
This trial is focused on reducing ongoing maintenance at the boat ramp by testing how the surface performs over time. We’re also assessing how it feels to use and how it performs day‑to‑day. Your experience will help inform future decisions at other boat ramps across the Shellharbour LGA.
Installation is planned for 9–10 April 2026., after Easter and during the school holidays to minimise disruption.
Because this work depends on weather and tides, dates may shift if conditions aren’t suitable.
During installation, the left boat ramp (viewed from the land) will be temporarily closed.
The trial will run for 12 months from April 2026.
We’ve installed Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) on the existing concrete boat ramp a tough, slip‑resistant material often used around water.
We would like to know from the boating community that use the ramp:
- How it feels when launching and retrieving boats
- How it performs during regular use
The information you provide will help inform Council on the performance of this product and if there are benefits in reducing the maintenance requirements.
Boat ramps get a lot of wear and tear. This trial helps Council:
- Explore options that may perform better over time
- Understand real user experience, not just technical specs
- Make informed decisions before considering upgrades elsewhere
This is about learning what works best for our local boating community.
Once the trial period ends, we’ll review:
- Community feedback
- Observations from regular use
- Maintenance and upkeep requirements
If the surface performs well, Council may consider using a similar approach at other boat ramps in the future.
