And one of the biggest reasons for such is tourists and locals having 2.9m water level in the Murray River which was not the case 12 months ago.
This time last year, both locals and visitors expressed their disappointment and frustration over the low water height, as depicted on the front page of The Free Press on January 17, 2024.
The front page photograph showed local identity, deputy Federation Council mayor at the time, Shaun Whitechurch standing, fully clothed in the middle of the Murray River.
Tourism was basically a non-event last Christmas/New Year. People were arriving with their boats and leaving the next day because there was no opportunity for boating and water skiing, with just 1.4m water height. Local rowing clubs had their issues with oars hitting the bottom in places.
Mr Whitechurch has been a strong advocate for a satisfactory water level for all tourist periods and continues to push for appropriate levels to attract and retain tourists. His push led to a higher, satisfactory level of water for the next tourist season, last year, that of Easter.
But his push to ensuring a satisfactory water level is ongoing, which resulted in talks with Senior Director Operations River Management, Murray-Darling Basin Australia Tom Zouch at Corowa, with Federation Council General Manager Adrian Butler on December 23 last.
“We explained to him that Corowa and Howlong have suffered, and he fully understands the ideal water level should be 15,000mg or around 2.9m,” Mr Whitechurch told The Free Press.
“It was great of Mr Zouch to come down to Corowa and have discussions with us. It is not always an easy balancing act. We were glad he appreciates how detrimental it is to us having too low a level.”
Accommodation outlets have experienced much better results than last year, with boat owners enjoying a better Christmas/New Year period 2024/2025 and Corowa benefitting accordingly. Jason Barnes of Bindaree Caravan Park welcomed the higher water level this festive season.
“What we’ve found is that people are staying a bit longer – about fifty per cent of the people,” he said. “Last year, people shortened their stay and there was a flow-on effect for Australia Day.”
Corowa Golf Club has been busy, with a reported 200 golfers per day according to club operations manager Nathan Thomas. “People have even been coming up from camp sites with clubs and returning with drinks. A lot of people have played and had meals in the club,” he said.
“It’s probably the busiest I’ve seen it and it’s good the water level in the river is back up.”
Corowa Race Club had a very successful race meeting on December 28. “It was very good,” club secretary Gail Law said.
“We had about 1,000 there for what was six races. Everyone was well behaved. Corowa Police walked through the crowd and said everyone was well behaved.”
The farmers’ market by Rotary last Sunday was well attended, particularly early before the heat set in according to Rotarian Paul Miegel. “There were up to 30 stalls, and it was good to see so many people there early,” he said. “It will be a big market over the Federation Festival weekend, with the Tim Fischer Dinner the Friday night before.”
The festivities throughout January also, of course, include Australia Day 2025 celebrations on Sunday, January 26 at Howlong.
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