A new boat launching ramp has been developed to help recreational boaters and anglers enter yingina/Great Lake at lower water levels.

Hydro Tasmania and the Inland Fisheries Service have developed the new launching ramp at Boundary Bay, at a shared cost of $15,000.

The new ramp is about 300 metres east of the existing Boundary Bay launching area, and allows boats to be launched safely and efficiently when water levels in yingina/Great Lake are as low as 18.9 metres from full (the lake is currently about 17m from full). The other five official boat ramps on yingina/Great Lake have been closed since December or January because of low water levels associated with Tasmania’s energy challenges.

The existing Boundary Bay launching area has remained open during that time (because it allows lower-level launching than the other five yingina/Great Lake ramps). However, even there, launching conditions have been marginal and challenging, particularly for bigger boats or two-wheel-drive vehicles.

Meanwhile, Hydro Tasmania is pleased to announce that four boat ramps have now been re-opened at other locations.

On Lake Burbury, the Darwin Dam, Lake Burbury camp ground and Thureau Hills have been re-opened. The Lake Gairdner boat ramp is also back in action.The CEO of Hydro Tasmania, Steve Davy, said the corporation understands the vital importance of its lakes for recreational boaters.

“Tasmania has some beautiful lifestyle advantages, and boating and angling on our lakes are special examples,” Mr Davy said.

“Boat operators have been very patient since our ramps were closed over summer. We’re pleased to invest in this new facility as a means of repaying that patience and getting boaters and fishers back to what they love as early as possible,” he said.

The Director of the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), John Diggle, said it’s particularly important for anglers to have boat access to yingina/Great Lake.

“yingina/Great Lake is one of Tasmania’s most popular fisheries. It’s open to angling all year round and supports many tourism businesses and local shack owners,” Mr Diggle said.
The General Manager of Recreational Boating Safety and Facilities for Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST), Peter Hopkins, reminded boaters that lake levels are still low.
“Care should be taken with objects that may now be just under water. And with winter approaching, anglers are reminded to wear life jackets and to make themselves aware of cold water immersion issues,” Mr Hopkins said.

Boundary Bay is on the western shore of yingina/Great Lake. It’s about seven kilometres north of the Marlborough Highway (B11) intersection with the Lake Highway (A5).
Hydro Tasmania’s Manager of Production and Maintenance, Jesse Clark, said water levels are now high enough to re-open the boat ramps at Darwin Dam, Lake Burbury camp ground and Thureau Hills (all on Lake Burbury), as well as the Lake Gairdner ramp.

“The strong recent rainfall has replenished these lakes and allowed us to re-open these ramps,” Mr Clark said.

“We’re sure there’ll be great enthusiasm from boaters and anglers after a difficult summer and autumn where access was severely restricted. We ask everyone to please respect other boaters and ensure vehicles and trailers are parked well clear of the launching area,” he said.

The other five boat ramps on yingina/Great Lake will remain closed until the water level is suitable, along with the Dam Wall ramp at Lake Echo.

Hydro Tasmania is Australia’s largest water manager, and collaborates with MAST and the IFS to allow safe access to Tasmanian lakes and waterways.

There’s more information about Hydro Tasmania’s boat ramps at www.hydro.com.au/community/recreational-sites. For any boat ramp enquiries, please contact Hydro Tasmania on 1300 360441 or contactus@hydro.com.au.

Released by Rowan Dix for Hydro Tasmania – 0409 722359 / media@hydro.com.au.