Better Boating for Altona Safe Boat Harbour

19 October 2021

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback on the two design options for the Altona Safe Boat Harbour.
Click here to view the What We Heard report.

Council is excited to share two draft concept design options for the Altona Safe Boat Harbour.

The designs aim to:

  • maximise the provision of safe and efficient car and trailer parking capacity whilst providing access to rigging and de-riggings areas, fish cleaning tables, public toilets and other vehicle parking
  • improve site lighting and landscaping, including increased tree canopy and water sensitive urban design features to reduce heat impacts of an increased car park footprint
  • reduce queuing times and traffic congestion within the precinct
  • improving safety of the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail throughout the precinct
  • identify solutions for the Nellie St Drain that work to decrease odours and accumulation of sludge as well as increase water flow into deep water
  • improve quality of storm water run off

Click here to read more about Better Boating Victoria’s Recreational Boating strategy.

What are we proposing?

Key elements of the 2 concept drafts include:

  • relocating the de-rigging and fish cleaning area toward the exit
  • tree planting and vegetation around the Nellie Street drain to provide an ecological buffer
  • machinery access created for clearing seaweed and debris from the Nellie Street drain
  • improved traffic flow into and around the car park
  • improved lighting throughout the facility
  • 80 car only parks and 170 car and trailer parks in option 1
  • 64 car only parks and 190 car and trailer parks in option 2
  • improved landscaping and tree planting
  • 2 additional boat launch ramps
  • 4 dedicated entrance lanes for each ramp (1km in length) holding 60 cars and trailers, alleviating congestion on Altona Road

The draft concept designs have been formulated after collaboration with local fishing clubs and key Government agencies such as Melbourne Water and Better Boating Victoria.

Click here to view option 1, click here to view option 2 or view them in the document library on the right hand side of the page and tell us your thoughts by completing the survey below.

The delivery of improvements identified within the concept plans is dependent on State Government funding.

The Altona Safe Boat Harbour is located on Altona Road, Seaholme. It’s an increasingly popular boat ramp facility with parking available for 105 vehicles with trailers. The facilities include public toilets and a shaded fish cleaning area. The safe boat harbour has six launching lanes and the capacity to shelter 70 to 100 boats depending upon size. The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail leads through the precinct from WG Cresser Reserve to the favourite local dog beach. Snapper season is an exceptionally busy period for the Harbour.

Click here to find out more about Snapper season in Port Phillip Bay.

Port Phillip and Western Port represent the busiest waterways in Victoria, with four out of five Victorians visiting these ports every year, pursuing a range of water-based recreational activities. Click here to view more information about the Port Phillip and Western Port waterways.

Draft Concept 1

This option will provide 170 car and trailer spaces and 80 car only spaces. The car only spaces are centralised in the car park with disabled parking close to toilet facilities. The car and trailer spaces are spread across two separate areas.


1. Existing toilet block

12. 1.8M wide disability access compliant gangways

2. Hobsons Bay Sport and Game fishing Club

13. Inset pontoons to allow for simultaneous launch and/or retrieval

3. Altona Boating and Angling Club

14. Realign pontoons and extend by 15M

4. Nellie Street drain with additional vegetation buffer

15. Lower freeboard pontoon for PWC and small vessels

5. Signage with parking information

16. Fish cleaning area with salt water

6. Main entrance for cars with trailers

17. Space for derigging and fish cleaning parking

7. Lane guidance sign

18. Rain gardens and tree canopy throughout the site

8. Multiple lanes to reduce on-road queuing

19. CAR ONLY spaces with disability access adjacent to toilet block

9. Relocate coastal path and mark priority crossing

20. Car AND trailer exit

10. Access to drain for maintenance and seaweed management

21. CAR ONLY entry/exit

11. Outlet modifications to allow for maintenance access

22. Additional EXIT ONLY

Draft Concept 2

This option will provide 190 car and trailer spaces and 64 car only spaces with the car and trailer spaces mostly contained in one primary area. The car only spaces are provided close to the clubs with disabled car parking close to both the clubs and to the toilet block.

1. Existing toilet block

12. 1.8M wide disability access compliant gangways

2. Hobsons Bay Sport and Game fishing Club

13. Inset pontoons to allow for simultaneous launch and/or retrieval

3. Altona Boating and Angling Club

14. Realign pontoons and extend by 15M

4. Nellie Street drain with additional vegetation buffer

15. Lower freeboard pontoon for PWC and small vessels

5. Signage with parking information

16. Fish cleaning area with salt water

6. Main entrance for cars with trailers

17. Space for derigging and fish cleaning parking

7. Lane guidance sign

18. Rain gardens and tree canopy throughout the site

8. Multiple lanes to reduce on-road queuing

19. CAR ONLY spaces with disability access near clubs

9. Relocate coastal path and mark priority crossing

20. Car AND trailer exit

10. Access to drain for maintenance and seaweed management

21. CAR ONLY entry/exit

11. Outlet modifications to allow for maintenance access

22. Additional EXIT ONLY

Survey Closed

Thank you for providing your feedback during the consultation period.