With the exception of Soldiers Point boat ramp and parking facilities the other ramps closer to the heads namely Little Beach and Shoal Bay simply cannot handle the boating traffic.

It has become impossible to launch any boats at Little Beach with the westerly wind howling down the harbour.

Shoal Bay is relieving some of the pressure however Shoalie cannot cater for the larger boats at low tide and the wind causes havoc.

If that's not enough of a problem the build up of sand on the ramps totally excludes any vehicle other than 4WD.

Even 4WD vehicles are having great difficulties.

Forget it if you only have a family sedan.

As a boating wonderland, which Port Stephens is, what can be done to match the excellent facilities available in more northern estuaries and river systems at Forster, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour?

I know that the Port Stephens Council has been giving this problem a great deal of thought and I also know that they are fully aware of the problems involved.

The mayor, who will act on this, needs advice. None of us, to my knowledge, has come up with a suitable answer.

One thing I know for sure is that the answer will cost a lot of money.

As an increasingly popular tourist centre we must provide the infrastructure for our boating and fishing visitors otherwise they will head further north.

Give this issue some thought.

Stinker