Boat owners who have watched the historic Tuncurry Slipway sit empty since 2023 can finally see progress, with the state government locking in funding and a mid-2027 delivery date.
Member for Myall Lakes Tanya Thompson said Budget Estimates had confirmed $12.2 million has been allocated to redevelop the site, with a further $1.6 million set aside to address contaminated land.
“Locals have been waiting a long time to see progress on the Tuncurry Slipway, so I was pleased to get some clear answers through Budget Estimates,” Mrs Thompson said.
The slipway has been part of the Tuncurry waterfront since 1875, starting life as a sawmill and shipyard before becoming a working boat maintenance facility. It closed in 2023 after decades of deterioration finally caught up with the ageing site.
Transport for NSW opened community consultation on a rebuild in late 2025, seeking feedback on a proposal that includes a 75-tonne travel lift, a noise wall and a commercial wastewater treatment system to protect the local waterway. Construction of the new facility was expected to take about 14 months once it got underway.
“Boat maintenance facilities are vital maritime infrastructure because they keep boats safe, support local jobs and tourism, and protect our waterways,” said Transport for NSW Maritime Executive Director Mark Hutchings.
“This new facility will not only modernise maintenance operations, it will improve safety for workers and the community while reducing environmental hazards.”
But the project’s future looked shaky as recently as June, when Mrs Thompson accused the state government of overlooking the region in the 2026-27 Budget, with no funding secured for the slipway redevelopment, The Lakes Way corridor upgrade or the Wingham Memorial Pool rebuild.
“These are not luxury projects,” she said at the time. “They are critical investments that would improve safety, support local growth and strengthen our communities.”
Now, with the funding confirmed, Mrs Thompson said the priority was keeping the project moving.
“The slipway is an important piece of infrastructure, supporting local boat owners, marine businesses, and our local economy,” Mrs Thompson said.
“With the funding confirmed and planning underway, the focus now needs to be on getting the work done and keeping the project on track for mid-2027.”
“I’ll continue to keep a close eye on its progress and make sure our community is kept informed as the project moves from planning into delivery,” she said.
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