NSW Government: Improving waterway accessibility under new BID Scheme

Transport for NSW Maritime will invest $44 million into improving waterway accessibility and safety under its new Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme (BID Scheme), NSW Government said.

The scheme replaces the previous grants program, providing $28 million in new funding for the development of new and improved public boating infrastructure and enhanced public access to NSW waterways.

According to the Government, the scheme also confirms $16 million to deliver much needed dredging works along the NSW coast.

The scheme consists of five sub-programs:

• Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program – improving on the previous Boating Now Program, this program will put greater emphasis on improved access for aging boaters and boaters with disabilities,
• Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program – providing funding to asset owners across NSW to undertake minor repair and maintenance works on public boating infrastructure,
• Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool – funding support for owners of public boating infrastructure to repair or replace assets impacted by natural disasters and severe weather events,
• Priority Dredging Program – funding for the Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office (MIDO) to deliver new dredging projects at key priority sites critical to boating and safe waterway navigation,
• Committed Dredging Projects – committed dredging projects at Swansea, Ettalong, Coffs Harbor and Myall River, and the development of 10-year environmental planning approvals to dredge nine high priority areas.