Mayor Phill Stone, Sea Rescue Peter Olivier and Project Manager Anthony Bray.
Whyalla Boat Ramp Upgrade
The Whyalla boat ramp is set for a major upgrade, with works commencing from mid-September.
The ramp has reached the end of its service life, and Council is upgrading the structure to ensure the community continues to have a safe, accessible and usable facility. This will include the demolition and removal of the existing ramp and pontoons followed by the construction of a brand-new boat ramp and the installation of new pontoons.
Works are expected to conclude by early 2026, co-funded by Whyalla City Council and the South Australian Government from the SA Boating Facilities Fund at a total cost of $2.3m with 80% of the cost funded and delivered by Civil Tech, the successful tenderer. The upgrade is part of Whyalla City Council’s Foreshore Masterplan. Funding was secured under the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program for the Foreshore Plaza Project.
Importantly, the ramp will remain open to the public for the majority of the project, with only occasional closures of a few hours or a day required for key construction activities.
Mayor Phill Stone said the upgrade would provide lasting benefits for both residents and visitors.
“This is a great project for our city, and I can’t wait to see it come together. The upgraded ramp will be a real asset for our community and visitors.” Mayor Stone said.
Peter Olivier, from Whyalla Sea Rescue, said he welcomed both the improvements and the approach to minimise disruptions.
“We’re thrilled to see the boat ramp being upgraded, it’s a big win for the boating community. The fact that Council and Civil Tech can keep the ramp open for most of the works means people can still get out on the water with minimal interruption,” Peter said.
The project will involve:
- Demolition and removal of the existing ramp, jetty structure, pontoons, and associated materials.
- Installation of new precast concrete boat ramp panels with scour protection, rock armour edging, and geotextile underlay.
- Construction of new pontoon access ramps and pontoons.
- Environmental safeguards such as pre-, during-, and post-construction water quality monitoring, silt curtain installation, and careful vegetation management.
