He wants the council to address boat ramp issues and implement upgrades as soon as possible. 

“Everybody acknowledges that the boat ramp is at times unsafe to use, even our council know this,” Mr Blake said.

“Why are we waiting so long for any action from the chief executive officer and the engineering department to be taken? The council has known for 10 years that the boat ramp is unsafe due to the wave action approaching the boat ramp.

“I urge the WCC to re-read the introduction to their 2017 masterplan which states ‘wave action causes hazardous conditions within the harbour’. In the masterplan it was identified as an immediate term goal to implement the works to the boat ramp.”

He said due to the inaction of the council it was “now apparent that they are negligent as the managers of the port”. 

“As managers they have OH&S obligations under the Act which states ‘members of the public be given the highest level of protection against risks to their health and safety’,” Mr Blake said.

“If a business was to provide such unsafe facilities they would be prosecuted by Worksafe. Why are the council allowed to get away with it? Stop procrastinating, do the planning, get the funding and build an enclosed harbour to provide the public safe facilities to launch and retrieve their vessels.” 

Warrnambool City Council director of infrastructure Scott Cavanagh said it was applying for cash for facility upgrades. 

“The Port of Warrnambool is a state government-owned facility. The state provides funding to the council which maintains the port,” he said. “Questions relating to funding for safety improvements should be directed to Transport for Victoria.”

Mr Cavanagh said the port was within a constantly changing marine environment.

“Users of the port facilities need to make their own assessments about the risks involved in entering that constantly changing environment,” he said. “If there was an incident or change at the port that presented an unacceptable level of risk, council would close the port.”

The council is seeking cash for a new three-lane boat ramp and improved road works around the port, not an enclosed harbour. A Transport for Victoria spokesman said safety was its first priority and it would continue working with the council to upgrade facilities and improve safety. The spokesman did not answer questions from The Standard about when upgrades would be done and if funding was imminent.