The council will now investigate consistency of land access to paddle steamers moored from the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre to the southern end of Echuca's historic wharf, an action deemed “not good governance” by Cr Daniel Mackrell.
Cr Neele said the motion was to ensure certainty and consistency to land access options available to boat owners who have moorings that abut council-managed Crown land, and to ensure that owners of historic vessels can manage the necessary regular maintenance checks of vessels in the most sensible manner.
“This report — I’m hoping — will ensure that access across council land is consistent, there is equity for all paddle steamer owners who have moorings in that location,” she said.
“It’s about how we can most sensibly and pragmatically come up with a solution to service these boats for all those operators.”
However, the motion was met with opposition from fellow councillors, with some asking why the motion came about.
“The motion is based upon equity. Those on the wharf have access to electricity and water, and those down further have access to land. There is no equity, how do you compare one with the other?” Cr Leanne Pentreath asked.
Mooring Infrastructure was included in the public expression of interest documentation that was issued to any prospective boat owner applying for a mooring in the wharf area.
The council said there was only one mooring that was not subject to this EOI process, which had led to the ‘inconsistency of access’ with respect to the moorings adjacent to the wharf/discovery centre.
Councillors received a detailed report and were advised an alternative location was being pursued to address the single anomaly.
Cr Pankhurst said it was “interesting” that the rationale for the motion was ensuring certainty and consistency for all the boat owners.
“It’s interesting that one of the main proponents and boat owners that is causing discussion sent a correspondence to all councillors about his concerns and is probably the one inconsistency in the area,” he said.
“It’s the one person that wasn’t subject to the EOI process, so it’s interesting now to be saying we need to provide consistency to all boat owners.”
The motion passed, meaning council will provide a report examining land access options for moorings from the discovery centre to the historic wharf.
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