A new licence for the Waikawau Boat Ramp has now been approved this week by the Thames Community Board and Ngati Tamatera.

The previous licence was to expire this month and this new licence has been approved for another five years, starting December 1.

The Waikawau Boat Ramp licence has been approved for another five years. Photo: Waikawau Boat Ramp Society.

The Waikawau Boat Ramp Society will also undertake dredging of the bund on the south bank of the Waikawau from Monday, December 1, through to Thursday, December 4.

This is to remove the bund and restore the stream to its normal width and the Society asks all ramp users that machinery working on this project have right of way.

The Waikawau ramp is 30 minutes north of Thames on the Thames Coast Rd and provides access to the Firth of Thames via a double concrete ramp.

It is used by up to 400 boats a day over the summer holidays and is operated by an incorporated society that is self-funded by membership and launching fees.

The river is dredged on a regular basis to allow access for boats up to five metres at, or close to, low tide.