The Sapling Creek Boat Launch project will begin in early December and replace the ageing and unsafe fixed downstream jetty on the Glenelg River estuary site with an all-abilities floating pontoon jetty.

Works are set to begin on Monday, December 5, and completed by the end of the week (Friday December 9), ready for summer and school holidays 2022.

While the works are being completed, the boat launch area will be closed to the public and alternate boat launching locations need to be sought. Upstream, this includes Pritchard’s and Saunders Landing, while downstream sites include Simson’s Landing and Nelson town boat ramps.

The upgrade jetty will ensure the popular Sapling Creek site provides safe and appropriate public boat launching and retrieval facilities, regardless of the season and water levels.

The construction of this adaptive structure will also help support the ecological integrity of the Glenelg River estuary by reducing the need for human intervention at the estuary mouth.

Works will also complement the implementation of two floating pontoon jetties on the Glenelg River estuary (at Simson’s & Pritchard’s Landings), along with supporting works being undertaken by Parks Victoria at ‘Battersby’s campground’ where two floating fishing pontoons are being installed through the Victorian Great Outdoors (VGO) program.

The Glenelg River Estuary is recognised as a Heritage river reach on the Heritage Rivers Act 1992, and it supports nationally important plant and animal species, and is classified as a Ramsar site of international importance within the Lower Glenelg National Park

These project works are being undertaken with funding through the Better Boating Victoria 2021-22 Recreational Boating Structural Maintenance Program.