Boat Ramp Locations
The District Council of Grant operates four boat ramps at the following locations:
- Blackfellows Caves - Features two 4.1m wide launching lanes incorporating a central fixed landing.
- Donovans - Located on the Glenelg River at Donovans.
- Dry Creek - Located upstream from Donovans on the Glenelg River.
- Port MacDonnell - Boasts a four lane boat ramp with two floating concrete pontoons, and wharf for heavy tonnage vessels.
Additional boat ramps are situated within the District Council of Grant area but are not under Council's care and control. More information and a map showing their locations can be found at the Australian Boat Guide.
Boat Ramp Permit Types and Fees
The District Council of Grant have implemented fee systems to assist with maintenance costs of the boat ramp infrastructure located at Blackfellows Caves and Port MacDonnell.
All users of the Blackfellows Caves and Port MacDonnell boat ramps who launch or retrieve a boat are required to obtain a Boat Ramp Permit and pay a fee. The following permits are available:
PROFESSIONAL / COMMERCIAL | ||
Commercial Registered Vessels & associated Commercial Registered Dinghy | 1 July - 30 June | $200.00 |
RECREATIONAL | ||
Annual Permit | From date of purchase | $100.00 |
Annual Permit - Pension Concession | From date of purchase | $60.00 |
Monthly Permit | 4 weeks | $55.00 |
Weekly Permit | 7 days | $27.50 |
Daily Permit | 24 hours | $5.50 |
The quantum of these permits are set by Council and reviewed annually. The fees are set to reflect the forecast ongoing maintenance and compliance monitoring over the estimated life of the boat ramp, as well as servicing of the Port MacDonnell Offshore Angling Club loan.
Obtaining a Boat Ramp Permit
Boat ramp users must acquire a Boat Ramp Permit linked to the boat trailer registration on site. Failure to acquire a permit when using the facility will result in enforcement action.
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From 1 July 2023, a new online boat ramp ticketing system called EasyPark will be in operation for all permit types which means hard copy permits are now redundant.
Both physical boat ramp ticketing machines at Blackfellows Caves and Port MacDonnell have been removed and new signage is currently being manufactured with the design created in collaboration with the Allendale East Area School to provide additional environmental messaging from students.
Short term Boat Ramp Permits (monthly, weekly and daily) are to be purchased directly via the EasyPark App as per the graphic below. Alternatively, a permit can be purchased over the phone by calling the EasyPark customer service team on 1300 734 070.
Annual Boat Ramp Permits (recreational and professional / commercial) are to be purchased through the District Council of Grant Customer Service Centres detailed below. An Application for Annual Boat Ramp Permit Form must be completed and returned to Council in alignment with payment.
Principal Office
- Phone: 08 8721 0444
- Email: info@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
- Address: 324 Commercial Street West, Mount Gambier SA 5290
- Postal: PO Box 724, Mount Gambier SA 5290
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm | Saturday - Sunday CLOSED
Port MacDonnell Community Complex
- Phone: 08 8738 3000
- Email: pmcc@dcgrant.sa.gov.au
- Address: 5 Charles Street, Port MacDonnell SA 5291
- Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm | Saturday - Sunday 11:00am - 3:00pm
Recreational Boat Ramp Permit Holders with permits yet to expire are still required to display them on their vehicle windscreen, affixed to trailer or similar until its expiry.
All permits purchased authorise the user to launch at both the Blackfellows Caves and Port MacDonnell boat ramps.
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Further information about Boat Ramp Permit requirements can be found within Council's Boat Ramp Policy (WKSPOL 14). A copy is available online via the Policies & By-Laws page.