THE Yarrawonga Caravan Park boat ramp will be re-opened two days before the iconic Cod Classic fishing competition.
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It will be available for use from 9am tomorrow after being closed since September following the partial collapse of the concrete ramp.
The Moira Council is responsible for the boat ramp, which is on Crown land.
The repair job has required the co-operation of the Corowa Council, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Roads and Maritime Services.
The ramp was deemed unsafe for the launch and retrieval of boats and other water craft after partially collapsing due to fluctuating levels of the Murray River.
The ramp is the starting point of the annual Murray River canoe marathon, but this weekend will be available for thousands of visitors for the cod season opening.
Moira mayor Brian Keenan praised the combined efforts of Moira and Corowa councils in re-opening the ramp.
“The Cod Classic is marked as Australia’s richest freshwater fishing tournament and the most eagerly anticipated fishing social event of the year” Cr Keenan said.
“It is with great satisfaction that the works undertaken on the boat ramp have been completed in a timely manner.”
Repair works began last Sunday and were completed on Monday.
Works included the removal of a section of the concrete boat ramp, back-filling of a nine cubic metre void and the pouring of a new section of slab.
The cost of the repair job was $7780.
Cod Classic tournament director Tony Bennett said it was a relief to have the ramp re-opened.
“It is going to take a fair whack of pressure off the people who like to fish the river,” he said.
“The caravan park has about 1500 people stay there.”
Mr Bennett said 2000 people had already booked for the event with another 800 expected to arrive by the weekend.
