A PETITION containing more than 400 signatures was lodged in support of an extension to the Dingo Beach boat ramp last week.  

Currently the boat ramp out the front of the Dingo Beach Hotel is only accessible when the tide is full.  

The signatories propose that a channel is dug to allow access to deep water and the ramp be widened to accommodate two boats being launched side by side.  

Owner of the Dingo Beach Hotel Tony Sellers said the upgrade was needed to make the ramp safer during the peak season.  

"A lot of people were concerned about the problems with the boat ramp," he said.  

The boat ramp is the only facility between Cannonvale and Bowen.  

The extension of the current boat ramp is a more cost effective solution than the all-tide boat ramp proposal at the nearby Blackcurrent Island which has long been championed by Hydeaway Bay resident Warren Hardy.  

"It wouldn't require the massive expense of a dredge. If you did it at low tide you could push a metre to half metre channel," using a land-based excavator, Mr Sellers said.  

Councillor for Division 4, Peter Ramage supported the petition which is expected to be formally tabled at the next meeting of the Whitsunday Regional Council.  

Mr Hardy said he believed the Blackcurrant Island option to be a better way to provide an all tide boat ramp in the area.  

"It is fairly advanced. Funds been granted and George Christensen supports it and the ratepayers wont foot the bill because it will funded by State and Federal Governments," he said.

Mr Hardy said the distance that will need to be excavated to make the Dingo Beach option a reality will be 500 metres.  

Operator of the Dingo Beach Store Murray Cockburn who is an advocate of the Dingo Beach extension said he believed the distance to be a maximum of 200 metres.  

"Warren's idea of the bigger and better boat ramp is probably the ultimate in the long term but it's going to take a fair while for that to happen," he said.  

Mr Sellers said the Dingo Beach upgrade will cost about $100,000 and is "certainly a far less expensive option".