Major upgrade for Norah Head

Boaters will have improved access to Cabbage Tree Harbour by the end of this year with major upgrade work to the Norah Head boat ramp at Bald Street in Norah Head to start on Monday.

Norah Head is one of only a handful of valuable ocean ramps in NSW and its upgrade is well overdue. The ramp gives vital access to the fish-rich Central Coast reefs.

Roads and Maritime Services Acting Director Maritime Michael Wright said the upgrade is jointly funded with the NSW Government providing $1.15 million under the Better Boating Program (BBP), Wyong Shire Council providing $1.3 million and the Australian Government providing $700,000.

"The boat ramp will be closed during work which will include rebuilding the main double lane ramp and beach ramp, replacing the beach retaining wall with a rock wall, moving a sewer main and improvements to the stormwater outlet," Mr Wright said.

The work is due for completion by the end of the year, weather permitting.

"The project is part of the commitment to deliver safe, efficient and high quality services and infrastructure to the community and businesses of NSW," Mr Wright said.

"Bald Street will be closed during work, including the lower car park, although access will remain for local residents. A small section of the reserve along Bungary Road will also be closed, on the east side of the playground, to be used as a work site. Pedestrian access to the rock pool and beach will be maintained.

"Alternative boat launching access will be from ocean ramps at Terrigal and Swansea until work is completed," he said.

The BBP provides grant funding for new and improved recreational boating facilities in NSW. Roads and Maritime Services uses revenue raised from registration and licence fees to fund the program.

In 2013-14, more than $5.4 million in BBP grants were awarded by Roads and Maritime to local councils and boating groups state-wide for new and improved boating facility projects.

More information on BBP can be found at