Boating Now / Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme

Why is this project important?

The Boating Now grants program is improving maritime infrastructure and facilities across NSW to give recreational and commercial boaters better and safer access to NSW waterways.

What are we doing?

Improvements to infrastructure such as jetties, wharves and boat ramps also supports important coastal industries and tourism.

The program has already funded more than 200 projects to improve the boating experience across NSW.

Boating Now funding comes from boating licence, registration and other fees collected by Transport for NSW.

The NSW Government allocated $28 million to Boating Now Round 3.

What have we achieved?

All projects under Boating Now Round 3 are now complete. The new Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme (BIDS) continues to reinvest boating licence, registration and other fees into upgraded infrastructure, improving access to NSW waterways for all boaters. New project pages have been published on for each of the 4 Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme programs.

In August 2025, Transport announced 46 successful applicants, under the 2‑stage Boating Infrastructure for Communities grant process. Funding ranged from $52,000 for Ballina Shire Council’s Brunswick Small Craft Facilities to more than $2.2 million for Kempsey Shire Council’s upgrade of Matty’s Flat Reserve.

Under the Boating Infrastructure Emergency Repair Pool, 7 applications were approved, with 3 projects already completed. These grants support the repair, replacement and improvement of public boating infrastructure damaged by natural disasters and severe weather, and details of all recipients have been published online.

We opened Round 1 of the Boating Infrastructure Maintenance Grants Program, with applications closing in September 2025. This program supports councils, government agencies, community groups and private organisations to maintain public boating infrastructure across the state.

BIDS has allocated $16 million for dredging projects across NSW through to 2027 to improve and sustain accessibility to key coastal locations, river entrances and local waterways to support economic grown opportunities through improved navigation. Work is progressing across 2 sub‑programs:

Committed Dredging Projects at Batemans Bay, Coffs Harbour, Ettalong Channel, Myall River, Swansea Channel and Wallis Lake.

Priority Dredging Projects, where approvals are being secured for Bermagui, Yamba/Iluka, Evans Head, Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads.

More information about the Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme is available here.

For more information about our achievements in the Marine Estate Management Strategy, please visit our report page.

Statewide

Transport for NSW

• Transport for NSW – Centre for Maritime Safety
• Local councils
• Private boating organisations

• Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme