Snapper Season Hits A Snag

The decision to close Werribee South Boat Ramp during snapper season is the reason some anglers are reeling — and not in the good way.

Wyndham TV understands the ramp is getting a $3.2 million upgrade that will include adding a seventh ramp lane, improving pontoons, parking, traffic flow and accessibility.

Raymac Fishing co-founder and local angler Millane Raymond said the timing is not only inconvenient but a killjoy for many.

“Every fisherman in the area lives and breathes for Snapper season, which usually kicks off early September. This boat ramp closure has made it harder for fisherman to get their boats back in the water after they have been parked up over winter,” he said.

“I think it is extremely poor planning that you’ve now got the two major boat ramps in the West being Werribee South and Altona being closed at the same time.

“To Fisherman, we see this as a major inconvenience, they’ve had all winter to complete these works where we see fishing slow down.”

Qualms About Project Design 

He also said the upgrade itself was fishy.

“The problem with this boat ramp is also it’s not being upgraded to suit the demand effectively. They’re adding an extra ramp but not extra parking. If you go down to the boat ramp on a busy day, there are cars parked all over the grass.

“This would be like if they never built the multi story Carpark at Pacific Werribee after adding more shops in.”

A Better Boating Victoria spokesperson said the short-term pain will mean decades of benefit.

“It’s cheaper and easier to get out on the water since we removed boat launching and parking fees at all public boat ramps across Victoria. Boaters can utilise alternate western Port Phillip ramps including Altona, The Warmies and Avalon which are only a short drive away.

“Boaters can look forward to a significantly improved facility when Werribee South boat ramp reopens in January.”