Work will commence in October 2021 on delivering the first stage of a planned $20 million upgrade of recreational boating facilities at Onslow.
The Onslow Community Boating Precinct (CBP) will provide a new boat ramp and central holding jetty with suitable space for the development of a small marina that may contain fully serviced boat pens at the Beadon Creek (Onslow) Maritime Facility.
The Department of Transport (DoT) is delivering the first stage of the project and welcomes you to the first in a series of updates designed to keep the community informed of progress.
Contract awarded
It was recently announced that WA based company Ertech successfully tendered to complete the $9.2 million Stage 1 works and will commence on site activities in late October. Read media release here.
Funded by the Shire of Ashburton ($6.4 million), the Chevron Operated Wheatstone Project ($1.5 million), the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program ($0.9 million) and the State Government ($0.4 million), the project will see a new two-lane boat launching ramp constructed with a central floating jetty approximately 150 metres north of the current ramp.
The works also include initial dredging to create deeper waters for safe navigation to and from the ramp, space for a future small marina, space for future boat trailer parking, earthworks to form the ramp and construction of a number of rock walls.
Public access to the existing boat ramp will be maintained throughout the project. Updates for facility users can be found at:
Beadon Creek (Onslow) maritime facility (transport.wa.gov.au)
Vision
The Onslow CBP was proposed in 2014 for use by recreational boaters and tourism/charter operators and included a new boat ramp and small marina with suitable space for the development of fully serviced boat pens.
In 2016, DoT in partnership with the Shire of Ashburton, other key government agencies and the local community developed a concept plan and business case for development of the Onslow CBP. The Shire has allocated a significant portion of funding to enable Stage 1 of the project and DoT has obtained relevant State approvals and managed the design process in close collaboration with the Shire. DoT will contract manage the Stage 1 construction phase on behalf of the Shire.
Onslow CBP - Stage 2
The proposed Stage 2 includes fully serviced boat pens, public jetties and berthing, completed landscaping and car parks, serviced development lots, community open space and ablutions.
It is envisaged that this type of facility will provide economic and community benefits to Onslow and the wider Pilbara Region, and funding options are currently being investigated.
Facility users
During the works facility users are asked to take note of changes to operations and abide by any safety warnings.
Skippers navigating the harbour should ensure they are aware of any changes on the water.
Please also subscribe to MarineSafetyWA Twitter feed to receive regular updates on temporary notices to mariners (TNTM).
Project Updates
Department of Transport updates are available here.
April 2022 - New boat ramp takes shape
The Department of Transport is tracking well with its delivery of the Onslow Community Boating Precinct (CBP) with the boat ramp now visible.
The contractors recently marked a significant milestone in the project, using excavation equipment to allow water to flood the newly completed boat ramp basin for the first time.
Dredging and construction of revetments are close to completion as part of the first stage of the precinct, while work is progressing on the landside hardstand areas for future car and trailer parking at the new boat ramp.
Stage 1 of the CBP includes the new boat ramp and a central holding jetty. There will also be space for the future development of a small marina.
The Onslow CBP is funded by the Shire of Ashburton ($6.4 million), and supported by the Chevron Operated Wheatstone Project ($1.5 million), the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program ($0.9 million) and the State Government ($1 million).
Since works commenced on site in late October 2021, major contractor Ertech has substantially completed drainage and dredging works on site, with new rock revetments forming the walls of the future small marina.
Additionally, the concrete boat ramp is now in place next to a series of new piles which will hold the floating jetty in place. The floating jetty is currently under fabrication, and due to be installed in May 2022.
Works are currently on schedule for completion of Stage 1, and public use of the new boat ramp, in June 2022. Public access to the existing boat ramp will be maintained throughout the project. Facility users seeking updates can visit Beadon Creek (Onslow) maritime facility (transport.wa.gov.au)
Dredging
The Onslow CBP requires approximately 45,000 cubic metres of sand and rock to be dredged from the site to create a safe boating area. The dredged basin will also provide a space for future marina facilities.
To date, approximately 35,000 cubic metres of material has been removed from within the dredging footprint. The facility design incorporates the dredged sand and rock, adding both value for money and sustainability to the project.
Onslow CBP - Stage 2
Detailed design of Stage 2 is currently in progress by engineering firm Advisian, with landscaping design by Emerge Associates.
The proposed Onslow CBP Stage 2 includes fully serviced boat pens, public jetties and berthing, completed landscaping and car parks, serviced development lots, community open space and ablutions, however is currently unfunded.
Facility users
Facility users are asked to take note of changes to operations and abide by any safety warnings.
Skippers navigating the harbour should ensure they are aware of any changes on the water by downloading the free boating app Deckee to receive real time updates on temporary notices to mariners (TNTM).
May 2022
The Shire of Ashburton welcomes a further $3.5 million in State Government funding for the Onslow Community Boating Precinct.
The funding was confirmed in the recent State Budget and will see additional work undertaken to install underground services to the carpark as part of the current construction project with only a minimal delay to the scheduled opening of the new, improved, safer boat ramp, now due in late June.
Special arrangements that will see both lanes of the existing ramp open for the long weekend and throughout June are expected to ease congestion for peak period users.
The additional State Government funding will significantly enhance the first stage of the project delivering asphalt surfacing, services, line-marking, landscaping and amenities and will be completed later this year.
February 2023
Final work commencing
Work to complete the first stage of the Onslow Community Boating Precinct (CBP) will commence in the coming weeks. The landside areas of the CBP will be further enhanced with kerb islands, asphalt, line marking, landscaping and public amenities. These works will be delivered by WA based contractor Ertech.
Skippers have had access to the new boat ramp at the Onslow CBP since 30 July 2022, and every effort will be made to maintain access during the coming works. However, some short closures may be required for safety reasons.
Works to date
The Department of Transport (DoT) completed the ramp and central holding jetty in July 2022, along with associated dredging, construction of revetments, and landside hardstand as part of the first stage of the precinct. Demolition of the old boat ramp and associated structures was completed in September 2022.
The Onslow CBP is funded by the Shire of Ashburton ($6.4 million), and supported by the Chevron Operated Wheatstone Project ($1.5 million), the Commonwealth Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program ($0.9 million) and the State Government ($4.5 million).
Space and service requirements for a future small marina have been included in Stage 1.
New toilet facilities
Included in the final Stage 1 works are new toilet facilities for boat ramp users.
To be managed by the Shire of Ashburton, the new facilities will include solar lighting and pump out septic arrangements to protect the environment.
Onslow CBP - Stage 2
Looking to the future, DoT is currently progressing the detailed design of Stage 2 of the Onslow CBP project and has contracted engineering firm Advisian and Emerge Associates for landscaping.
The yet to be funded, Onslow CBP Stage 2 includes fully serviced boat pens, public jetties and berthing, completed landscaping and car parks, serviced development lots, community open space and amenities.
Stay updated
Facility users are asked to take note of changes to operations and abide by any safety warnings.
Skippers navigating the area should ensure they are aware of any changes on the water by downloading the free boating app Deckee to receive real time updates on temporary notices to mariners.
This project, initiated by the major funding commitment from the Shire of Ashburton, will provide modern, safe boating facilities for local and visiting boat owners as Western Australians take up the State Government’s invitation to Wander Out Yonder.