Overview

The community of Loch Sport is fast becoming a popular town for tourists and an area where many people are choosing to make their permanent home, however Loch Sport is at a significant disadvantage compared to other Gippsland Lakes coastal towns when the issue of sheltered public moorings for medium to large craft is considered. Lakes Entrance, Metung, Paynesville and now Sale have hundreds of moorings, or pens and jetties for owners of larger craft to permanently keep their boats in safety, however Loch Sport has none.  The privately owned Loch Sport Marina has no more room for large craft and the two jetties in their existing form are considered unsafe for permanent long-term mooring.  The proposal in the Gippsland Boating Action Plan for yet another unprotected jetty to be constructed adjacent to the shops in Lake Street would have little or no benefit for the boating community, however, the plan does recommend further jetty destinations on Lake Victoria.  The Department of Sustainability & Environment Foreshore Management Plan suggested a marina West of the deep-water jetty.

A Committee was formed by the Loch Sport Boat Club to examine the viability of using the existing deep water jetty at the Western end of Loch Sport as part of a Safe Boat Harbour.  The harbour would be used for permanent and holiday craft visiting the area.  The Committee looked at dominant weather patterns, as well as features in the area that visiting craft could take advantage of.  It determined that if a breakwater or barrier were constructed to shield the area from the wave action of South Westerly winds this would provide safe moorings for local and visiting craft.  The Committee concluded that it would only require a modification to the existing jetty, and an extension, to enable larger craft to be moored safely in all weather conditions.

The Committee also concluded that although the deep water jetty area may appear to be at the quiet end of town, it is in fact the boating hub and many facilities exist in the immediate area. The Sailing and Power Boat Club is located on the Western side of the jetty and adjacent to the car park, boat-launching ramp and Caravan Park. The R.S.L. with its gaming lounge and bistro is within a very short walk as are several other sports clubs including bowls and tennis. The General Store, Post Office and Garage are only a five-minute walk away at the end of Charlies Street.   These facilities as well as a Safe Boat Harbour would make an attractive destination for holiday and charter boats that until recently ignored the Western end of the Lakes.  The harbour would also provide a safe haven for passing and local vessels during unexpected rough weather and revenue could be generated from permanently moored boats.   A number of people have expressed support for this proposal and indicated that they would use the harbour.

Other Lakes communities which have adequate boating facilities have prospered and  one could only imagine what Paynesville and Metung would be like without their publicly funded jetties and harbours.

The Loch Sport Boat Club Safe Boat Harbour Committee is seeking support from relevant and interested parties to help them establish this much-needed community project.