New Boat-Ramp For Akaroa Proposed

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 14

New Boat-Ramp For Akaroa Proposed

Extra room for launching boats at Akaroa was discussed by the Akaroa County Council yesterday. The council decided to recommend to the Akaroa town committee that the old county office in Akaroa be demolished, that the sea-wall in front of it be pushed down and that the 114 ft-wide space be made into a boat ramp, the cost being met out of land subdivision funds. The boat-loading ramps in Akaroa were quite inadequate, the chairman (Cr G. P. A. de Latour) said in moving the motion. The old council building had no historical value, and the seaward side of the building was completely rotten. “You can almost walk through it.” Cr A. S. Gray said a parking area would also be needed. Cr de Latour said that 400 yards from the proposed new ramp there was parking for about 500 boat trailers. Other areas on the sea frontage were not suitable for boat ramps because the water would be too low at low tide. The proposed ramp would be next to Daly’f wharf and people would be able to load passengers into their boats from the wharf.

There were two attractive trees in the area which should be left there, Cr de Latour said. The ramp would provide room for five or six cars to off-load boats at the same time. Cr C D. Kay said the ramp would also be in a sheltered area. There was an alternative—reclaiming land by the boatsheds—but it would be more expensive, Cr V. J. Armstrong said.

Cr W. R. Dewey said he liked Cr de Latour’s suggestion and thought it should be pursued without delay. Cr Armstrong said a small charge should be made for use of the ramp, and Cr de Latour said this could be considered later. The council also briefly discussed the possibility of securing waterfront land for eventual use by the fishing industry. It was agreed any such area should be away from tourist areas.