Following safety concerns and community feedback, the Ettalong foreshore boat ramp at the end of Kourung Ave, Ettalong, will close from Monday, December 2.
A Central Coast Council spokesperson said safety issues had been raised by residents, NSW Police, Transport for NSW – Maritime, local MPs and Council staff regarding vehicle congestion, illegal parking and potential hazards to the public from towing vehicles on the busy beach area.
“Closing the boat ramp complements Maritime’s recent changes in this area, making a safer environment for swimmers, families, and beachgoers at Ettalong foreshore,” the spokesperson said.
“Council has been working closely with Maritime to improve safety for beach and waterway users in this area.
“In response to the community feedback and safety assessments Maritime has now introduced a 300m zone that limits the foreshore beach area to paddlecraft only.”
Central Coast Mayor Lawrie McKinna said the ramp closure would make the beach more accessible and safer for paddlers and swimmers and their families.
“Ettalong Beach is popular with many in our community as well as visitors and holidaymakers to the area,” he said.
“This change supports a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.
“By closing the boat ramp, we’re acting on community feedback and putting safety first.
“We want everyone to enjoy some on-water fun, being safe on the water is key.
“The Central Coast has many wonderful options for boaters and watercraft users nearby and we encourage them to make use of the well-equipped alternative boat ramps.
“This change isn’t just about safety, it is also about creating an improved, sustainable waterfront environment that everyone can enjoy.”
Nearby boat ramps include those at Blackwall (2.9km away), Lions Park at Woy Woy (5km away), and Correa Bay Reserve (6km away).
To locate alternative boat ramps across the Central Coast, visit the online site: Boating | Central Coast Council
That is not a boat ramp. it is just a beach, used by Jet Ski enthusiasts and swimmers.
Such great news, the boat ramp has been a problem for many years with jetski owners overtaking the area and not allowing locals to have access. I just hope the local council, police and Maritime patrol enforce the ramp closure and parking.
Best thing ive heard in ages. Thank you.
This is a great move
Safety has been quite an issue along foreshore
Ettalong beach is well known and well used to be safe for families and elderly
Need to restrict jet skis coming into the beach area near the box. The beach has so many families with toddlers and young children and also where elderly feel it is safe to swim . They present a great danger as they come straight in between mums and bubs and children. When asked politely to move them further down the beach the guy and women on them respond with abuse. Holiday times are really bad and so often parents tKe children out if water because the jet skis come right onto beach.
As a local for many years it very heart warming to know council are taking these steps to make Ettalong beach a safe place.
The next thing they need to do is remove the no dogs allowed signed. Locals and tourists have always been able to bring their small fur babies with them and closing off to fur babies hurts lots of owners when Rick Hart (Council Administrator) was presented with 5500 signatures from locals and many many tourists
And he refused to acknowledge the petitions which was quite laughable as he did not even know the signs had been put up.
Hopefully our elected council will look into this for us.
Where can this 300 metre zone be viewed ??
We are very pleased to hear this news
Thanks for considering the feedback from the community & various organisations involved. The closure is certainly a positive step towards a safe & enjoyable outing for everyone concerned. 👍
where will we catch Ferry to Palm Beach from now if that closes?
Michael, for your information the closure is not the Ettalong ferry wharf, rather the boat launch area.
Wonderful news.
Fantastic news, absolutely fantastic. The noise from the JetSkis, the parking and rudeness from the people using the area was horrendous.
Jetskis took the whole area and the people the ramp attracted that set up there over summer just made it uncomfortable. This is just fantastic. Thank you Mayor. It will be lovely spot to swim and enjoy again.
It’s about time. Wonderful news.
Hooray
“THAT EVERYONE CAN ENJOY”!!!!
What a contradiction! Who was fooled?
Well done! The safe return of our beach from the dangerous foreign jetskies is to be applauded.
what about the boat ramp at karu ave,Booker bay. that needs to be closed to.
Excellent decision. Now ban all jet ski and trailers from the area
How about putting some toilets in so the visitors to the area do not have go in the water or in the bush 🤢
What a stupid idea that is, closing the non existent boat ramp long ago covered over by sand, There should be a proper concrete boat ramp there, Also a proper large swimming enclosure built close by to the boat ramp, what will it take a shark attack before a swimming enclosure is built at Ettalong?
Poor decision. Now ban all from the area.
It’s ok pushing them to other boat ramps but you need to ensure there are facilities there too eg toilets etc
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We swim with our young kids there all the time and it’s become so dangerous. Glad this decision was made without waiting for a child to be hurt first. Which was just a matter of time.
This is terrible and extremely short sited of the community. Local tourism is so important for our local businesses, they could not survive without visitors. Having a boat ramp is a reason for many people to come who then spend money and allow our favourite cafes and spots to thrive. Closing a boat ramp means those families might choose alternative locations on the central coast permanently. Did anyone consider the impact to business and local tourism? I honestly think such sentiments against allowing access are driven by racism more than anything.
Was any genuine attempt made to address safety concerns?
Our local businesses cannot survive only on the spending of residents who live here, they need visitors and any disincentive will harm them, harming us all.
I am sick and tired of seeing aspiring business owners have to close down. How many businesses must die before short sited locals realise that we need tourism?
Tourism related business employs a vast amount of people here and such a decision is extremely disappointing.
Wonderful news. The beach will be a public beach again, not a JetSki parking lot.
That’s a sensible and overdue action. Thank you. NOW – How about putting up
appropriate signage advising that electric scooters, electric skateboards and bikes are banned. The situation is dangerous wherein injuries are already occurring and with summer visitors starting to impact the area, Council is responsible and liable for their safety.
It’s the 15th of December 10 am the jet skiers are back in force lots of noise and speeding it didn’t work
What ever the authorities were doing does not work good luck to all the locals that swim there.