Community groups can generate income this summer by collecting beach ramp fees.
Applications are now open for local groups to collect fees at Onkaparinga’s four beaches where vehicle access is allowed – Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks.
The groups will retain 50 per cent of the fees collected, as well as have the opportunity to promote who they are and what they do.
The Seaview Road Boardriders were one of 12 community groups involved last summer.
“We appreciated being able to raise funds by operating the Silver Sands boat ramp,” said Seaview Road Boardriders’ Cheryl Peat.
“The valuable funds supported our club to compete in the Hyundai Australian Boardriders in Newcastle, finishing 17th overall, and send a team to the first Seas the Day Women’s Surf Festival in Kingscliff in New South Wales.
“The money also helped some of our junior surfers to compete interstate at the national level, contributed to more training sessions, and helped us build up our resources, including a gear trailer.”
Beach ramps must be staffed when the maximum temperature expected for Aldinga Beach is forecast at or above 25 degrees.
There are two roster arrangements: weekends from 9 December to 3 March and weekdays from 11 December to 26 January, both from 10am to 5pm.
Groups issue day permits at each site at a cost of $8 per vehicle. The ramp fee can be paid by cash or card.
Season passes are available free of charge for City of Onkaparinga residents from council offices, libraries and the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre from November each year.
Onkaparinga’s community safety team has a foreshore ranger who regularly patrols the ramps and attends to safety issues. Groups are provided with details of who to contact in the event of a safety concern.
Vehicle access is permitted on Moana, Aldinga, Silver Sands and Sellicks beaches between the hours of 5.30am and 11.59pm. Aldinga Beach south of the access ramp is closed from 1 May to 30 September each year.
Applications to collect beach ramp fees are open from 1 to 24 September.
To be eligible, groups must be located in the City of Onkaparinga, be not for profit or incorporated, and must have appropriate public liability insurance.
To learn more and apply, see beach ramp expression of interest online.
IMAGE: Seaview Road Boardriders Levi and Debbie Goss collecting ramp fees at Silver Sands last summer