The Sapling Creek Jetty, along the Glenelg River near Nelson, is getting a facelift thanks to $100,000 from the state government.

Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (GHCMA), who are managing the project, say they will replacing the “ageing and unsafe” fixed jetty on the Glenelg River estuary site with an all-abilities floating pontoon jetty.

The new jetty, announced last week, will be very similar to the one that has been installed further up the river at Pritchard’s Landing, though designs and permits are still being finalised.

The plan is for work to be completed in October-November ready for the summer season, with minimal interruptions for people using the site.

GHCMA say the upgrade will ensure the popular riverside site provides safe and appropriate public boat launching and retrieval facilities, regardless of the season and water levels, and will also help support the ecological integrity, by reducing the need for human intervention at the estuary mouth.

Works will also complement the implementation of two floating pontoon jetties on the Glenelg River estuary, at Simson’s and Pritchard’s Landings, along with two floating fishing pontoons being installed at Battersby’s campground.

The Glenelg River Estuary is recognised as a Heritage river reach on the Heritage Rivers Act 1992, it supports nationally important plant and animal species, and is classified as a Ramsar site of international importance.

GHCMA applied for the upgrade with the Recreational Boating Structural Maintenance Program, which was assessed by a Funding Advisory Panel, consisting of government agencies and industry stakeholders.

The funding is among a raft of other upgrade projects for Victorian boating facilities.

“We’re upgrading boating facilities across Western Victoria to create more opportunities for locals to get out and spend time on the water,” said Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney.

“These grants will help ramp and asset managers undertake structural maintenance works to improve their facilities – which includes replacing the ageing Sapling Creek jetty with an all-abilities floating pontoon jetty.”

“This will boost access to the Glenelg River and make the facility more functional to ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by the community well into the future.”