Tyler Redway
HARD work paid off for Allendale East Area School’s Environmental Leadership Group as their boat ramp signs project was officially unveiled this week at Port MacDonnell.
Students contributed hand-drawn artworks for the signs, which were then used on specialised boat ramp signs in Port MacDonnell and Blackfellows Caves, as a collaborative project between the school and Grant District Council.
The signs display a reminder not to dump rubbish into the ocean to prevent any harm coming to marine life.
Additionally, a revamped display of ramp launch fees has also been featured alongside the school’s proud artworks.
Grant District Council mayor Kylie Boston said it was great to see the project come to fruition just in time for school holidays and the approaching summer season.
“I think it’s the sort of thing people will look at and see the message, especially with the kids who contributed who will be pulling their parents along to see it, who will then bring other parents and grandparents,” Ms Boston said.
“I think having people share the message is a really good thing and we will share it around on our social media platforms.
“It’s about talking about these same messages all the time and if we are all doing that, then we hope we can get it through to people.”
Allendale East Area School assistant principal Suzie Mitchell said she was “very proud” of the work students had contributed to the new community project.
“Sometimes schools are involved in a community project on a surface level and then it often doesn’t come to fruition, whereas I think this has been professionally finished, it looks great and has quality,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I think the kids feel very proud about how they have contributed to an authentic project and how it has been recognised as valuable with such a great message for our community.
“It’s extremely important for engagement and community connections, so to have a choice about what is important to them.”
Another key component of the new signage is the ongoing use of Council’s digital boat ramp permit system, EasyPark, in operation as at 1 July 2023.
Short-term boat ramp users can continue to purchase a daily, weekly or monthly permit via the EasyPark app downloadable on any smart phone or over the phone with the EasyPark customer service team on 1300 734 070.
Annual recreational and professional/commercial users will be required to contact a District Council of Grant Customer Service Office to purchase and be added into the online system.
Further information regarding Council’s boat ramp facilities and instructions on how to obtain a boat ramp permit is available on the District Council of Grant website.
