Belmont residents can once again enjoy access to Lake Macquarie, with a new $2.8 million wharf officially opened.
The upgraded Belmont Wharf replaces the previous 50-year-old timber jetty with a larger, more durable structure designed to improve access and withstand the elements.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz and Minister for the Hunter and Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley officially opened the wharf on Tuesday 21 July.
Ms Catley said the project, supported by $1.4 million from the NSW Government through the Boating Infrastructure for Communities Program, would benefit thousands of local boat users.
“Lake Macquarie is made for days on the water and now Belmont Street has a wharf to match,” she said.
“We have more than 20,000 boats registered locally, meaning this is infrastructure our communities use every day.”
She said the new pump-out facility would also help protect the lake by making it easier for boaties to dispose of marine waste responsibly.
“The old timber wharf served boaties well for around half a century.
“This replacement is bigger, better, stronger and safer.”
Mayor Shultz said the new wharf would ensure the community could continue enjoying one of the city’s biggest natural assets.
“Enjoying the lake is a pivotal part of life in Lake Macquarie, so it’s critical we continue to deliver modern, accessible infrastructure that makes it easy for our community to get on and around the water and do what they love,” he said.
“This new wharf will serve the community for many years to come, offering a purpose-built place to access activities on the lake and take in the spectacular scenery.”
The new wharf stretches 71 metres in length and is 2.4 metres wide, widening to eight metres at the landing area.
It also features a new pump-out station, vessel fenders, improved pathway access and marine-grade materials designed for long-term durability.
The project cost $2.8 million, with $2 million allocated to construction of the new wharf.
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