mmg.com.au

An idea which could boost Cobram’s tourism industry needs support from the community if it is to get off the ground.

Cobram Barooga Boat Hire owner Danny Dunn has spent the past three years building a paddlewheel cruise boat from which he hopes to run passenger cruises from Thompsons Beach.

But without adequate provisions to cater for safe loading and unloading of passengers and sewage disposal, the project has stalled.

‘‘I’ve been trying to get upgrades happening down at the beach for over two years, and I’ve spoken to Moira Shire Council,’’ Mr Dunn said.

‘‘The council told me I need to get more community support for the paddle boat before I can go ahead with any works.

‘This business has the potential to boost tourism in Cobram and surrounding areas ... we have a beautiful part of the Murray River in our communities, so why aren’t we making the most of it?’’

The team at Murray Valley Engineering is working on Mr Dunn’s paddlewheel cruise boat. It is 7.5m wide, 15m long, 5.2m high and is a two-storey deck.

The boat is made from aluminium and stainless steel, and has wheelchair access, toilet facilities and can carry 49 people.

Mr Dunn is proposing a twice-daily cruise service from Thompsons Beach and is calling on business owners, community groups and residents to write letters of support for the project.

‘‘This could be the start of a range of infrastructure works down at Thompsons Beach, we just have to show council there is community support,’’ he said.

‘‘What I’d really like to see is a pump out waste station and a jetty to load and unload passengers safely.

‘‘Such facilities would allow houseboat owners and other river users to pump out any waste safely.

‘‘It would minimise any Occupational Health and Safety issues that could arise when people try to dispose of waste using other means ... it would also ensure the protection of our river system from pollution.’’

Mr Dunn said he has always been impressed by the high standards of boating operations enforced at Echuca-Moama.

‘‘Echuca-Moama is renowned for their use of the Murray River. They have been able to ensure boat owners can operate smoothly and efficiently, and they take full advantage of their beautiful natural resource,’’ he said.

‘‘Unfortunately here in Cobram-Barooga, we lack the ability to fully utilise the Murray River as we have infrastructure issues in developing the beach and the surrounding bushlands.

‘‘I need to prove there is support locally, otherwise I will be forced to take the project elsewhere.’’

●Show your support for the project. Send letters to Cobram Barooga Boat Hire, PO Box 105 Barooga NSW 3644, or drop them off at the Cobram Courier office in Station St.

● Letters to the editor — pages 10 and 13.