An aerial view of the launch area at Lake Endeavour (bottom middle of photo) where the channel will be deepened for safer and easier access for all watercraft.
Parkes Shire Council is pleased to announce that a new project will soon get underway at Lake Endeavour following a successful grant application under the Transport for NSW Maritime’s Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program.
Council has secured $133,220 in funding and will co-contribute $52,480 towards the $185,700 project to deepen Lake Endeavour’s launch channel. This important upgrade will make non-motorised boat and watercraft launching safer, easier, and more accessible for all users – from kayaks, paddleboards and non-motorised boats to the Parkes Dragon Boat Club, who train weekly on the lake.
Deepening the launch channel will improve safety for recreational and sporting groups, including dragon boat paddlers and mobility-restricted users, enhance fishing opportunities, with better access for non-motorised craft and potential to host community fishing competitions and attract more visitors and events, further boosting the local economy.
Parkes Dragon Boat Club President Linda Snyman welcomed the news, saying “This project is a game changer for our club.
Launching and retrieving a 30-metre dragon boat can be difficult and poses a manual handling risk when the water is shallow and the trailer cannot be submerged. A deeper launch channel will make training sessions much safer and more enjoyable for everyone. We’re thrilled to see this investment in Lake Endeavour and the benefits it will bring to our members and the wider community.”
The project is expected to be completed by May 2026. The Boating Infrastructure for Communities Grants Program is part of the Transport for NSW Maritime’s new $44 million Boating Infrastructure and Dredging Scheme, which aims to improve access and facilities for recreational and commercial boating.