New Boat Ramps

by Rod Barnes (Vice Commodore)

For several years now on more than a few occasions, there has been talk about the possibility of renewing our existing concrete ramps into the harbour. Well, I’m very pleased to announce, we are there. Yes, we are finally at the construction stage of our ramps project. As one who spent four months last year recovering from a bulged disk in my back, and also on behalf of our esteemed GGM’s and Legends sailors, I say, “Yippee”! I now legitimately have visions of walking my boat down the ramps when I’m well into my 90’s (though I haven’t told my wife yet).

This has been a huge effort and there are so many people to thank here. The volunteer culture we have at the club is amazing. Without that, this project would not be happening. To give some perspective, I thought I would detail the timeline of events and I hope we can all appreciate the effort this has taken to get to this point. More than four years in fact.

Cast your mind back to 2017-2018. Some of us may remember the maiden speech of the newly-appointed Commodore, Andrew Cox. He detailed a strategic masterplan which included projects linking our front deck with the Manly Corso, building a four-storey block of apartments above the clubhouse and a walkway to the ferry wharf next door and other flights-of-fancy. My memory is a bit hazy but I’m sure the replacement of the existing boat ramps was also part of that strategy.

True to that vision, in 2019 Andrew and Mark Crowhurst hatched a plan to submit an expression of interest for a grant in round 3 of the “Boating Now” program. The EOI was successful. Then in February 2020 a team of volunteers was assembled to prepare and submit the grant application, with contributions from Andrew Cox, Mark Crowhurst, Emily Ball, John Chesterman, Andrew Simpson, [editor: Rod Barnes], Geoff Kirk, and Justin Davey. In late February 2020, the application was submitted. Mark Crowhurst’s remarks on the submission included:

“I can say that, without a shadow of doubt, this is the most comprehensive and professional grant application we have ever submitted.” and

“I can also say … that I took immense joy in correcting the single error which Andrew made in the submission. I am sure it was left there as a test.”

In late July 2020 Andrew informed all that the club had been successful in its grant application.

Next step was the preparation of the Development Application. Emilly Ball was the key contributor as Project Lead during this phase, working with our excellent consultant, Sarah McNeilly at Watermark Planning, to get the project off the ground. Emily stepped away from the project soon after to start a family, and we thank her immensely for her efforts.

John Chesterman and Andrew Simpson also greatly contributed through this period as various consultants and engineers were engaged for the project. The Development Application was duly submitted and finally approved by Council in late 2021.

Without boring the pants off everyone, the next and most complex stage of the project was to sort out the ownership and liability issues around the project. It turns out the boat ramps are owned by TfNSW and licensed for community use by Woollahra Municipal Council. For the works to happen, Council’s licence over the ramps needed to be formalised, and TfNSW and Council had to enter into a complex deed to permit the works. Council and DBSC then had to enter into a deed to apportion liability for the works and the ramps, and finally DBSC had to enter into an agreement with a contractor to build the works. Confusing right? Yep.

From early 2022 to March 2024, on behalf of the club, Michael Osborne and Andrew Cox have been calling, discussing, driving, negotiating, drafting and redrafting an acceptable deed document for the club to be able to carry out this essential project. I cannot count the number of emails and hours spent to get this over the line. Huge. Eternal thanks to Michael and Andrew for their persistence with this. I’m sure if Michael billed us for all his hours he would own half of Point Piper. I hear Andrew is not cheap either.

During this two-year period, we [editor: Rod Barnes] worked tirelessly to prepare tender documentation, select potential builders, conduct a tender process, receive and review quotes, select a preferred builder, and negotiate and agree terms. The club selected Pat Collins from IPM Group, who had completed the new ramps at Woollahra Sailing Club a few years ago. During the protracted period of negotiation with Council, we [editor: Rod] continued to liaise with Pat as Council required changes to the agreements. Special thanks to Pat for sticking with us through this drawn-out period.

In true builder style, our resident Quantity Surveyor (me), was a bit short on the budget, which escalated with the passage of time as negotiations continued. With help from Yves Stenning, we approached TfNSW, which kindly came to the party to provide extra funds for the project. The project has also benefited from significant leadership and support from Steven London across all facets of the project, including liaison with our partners in the project, the Australian 18 Footers League.

So here we are, more than four years later, ready to start construction. The end result will be worth the huge effort given to this project by so many volunteers. Special thanks again to all of our contributors: Andrew Cox (former Commodore and project lead), Mark Crowhurst (grants expert), Emilly Ball (project manager), Justin Davey (treasury coordination), John Chesterman (concept architect), Andrew Simpson (structural engineering review), [editor: Rod Barnes (tendering and construction oversight lead), Geoff Kirk (construction input), Michael Osborne (legal guru), Yves Stenning (grants input), and Steven London (current Commodore and partner liaison).

We also must thank our friends at NSW Government, Transport for NSW, and Woollahra Municipal Council. Both TfNSW and WMC have contributed funds and resourcing for the project and without their generosity, the project would not be possible.

This is also the case for Warren Sare and the team at the 18 Footers. They have kindly matched our financial contribution to ensure we have the necessary funds to carry out the work and have supported the initiative throughout. Thanks to all involved from the 18 Footers.

So, in a couple of weeks, fencing and works will commence on the western ramp followed by the eastern ramp. It should take approximately 5 weeks per ramp, maybe longer depending on tides and weather. We will always have one ramp available during the construction period. So please be patient and tolerant throughout this period. Below are the plans and some photos of what the ramps will look like on completion.

Photos and plans courtesy of John Chesterman