Member for Bathurst Paul Toole visited Oberon on Monday to announce the funding.

It follows the allocation of $5.4 million in grants by the NSW Government for more than 70 projects across the State under the 2013-2014 Better Boating Program (BBP).

The Oberon Council grant followed a submission to NSW Roads and Maritime Services by Oberon Council, which included input from members of the local community committee, which has been promoting the project.

This committee includes representatives from council, Oberon Visitor Information Centre, landowners, RSL Club Fishing Club, Oberon Plateau Tourism Association and Oberon branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society.

Chairman of the local community group, Roger Arrow said the Roads and Maritime Services $70,504 grant was most generous and very welcome.

“This will allow us to go ahead and add to the work we have already done,” he said. 

“We will now be able to build a first-class boat ramp, provide a toilet, better parking, and carry out some landscaping in order to make it a top facility. It will be a wonderful asset to the area. 

“It will be money well spent, and go towards giving a lot of people a lot of enjoyment. It will also give the area yet another excellent outdoor tourist amenity.”

Peter Byrom, treasurer of Oberon branch of CAS, which is the group which regularly stock local rivers with young trout, said the opening up of the lake for the new activities was already attracting significantly more people.

“I have been down to the lake often since it opened and, particularly at weekends, there are always several cars there and people out on the water. And I am sure these numbers will only increase, particularly with the holiday period just around the corner.”

A colour brochure providing full details of the lake’s fishing and boating amenities and regulations is in the final stages of production and it is hoped to be ready for the holiday period.

Mr Toole said the Better Boating Program was about funding local projects that make a big difference in improving boating facilities for communities across NSW.

“It aims to make recreational boating facilities safer, more accessible and able to cater for increased demand. Under the program the NSW Government supports local councils, boating clubs and other agencies to upgrade and improve facilities at popular local boat ramps,” he said.

“This is a welcome boost for the whole area as Lake Oberon is a very popular facility and as we head into another great holiday period and I look forward to seeing the project underway in the new year,” he said.

The program funding includes revenue raised from boat registrations and licences.