‘In the shallows’Corowa visitors and locals left high and dry when it comes to river levels.
Corowa visitors and locals left high and dry when it comes to river levels
Corowa locals and visitors have expressed disappointment and frustration over the dismal water height of the Murray River during the Christmas and New Year period, causing significant disruptions to recreational water activities.
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Boats have been hitting logs and sandbars, posing dangers to both residents and tourists alike.
Federation Council Deputy Mayor Shaun Whitechurch has taken a leading role in addressing the issue, engaging with various communities, including those downstream. He is advocating for a better understanding with water management authorities during tourism periods to protect the local economies.
The matter was brought up during Tuesday’s monthly meeting of council in Corowa during the Mayoral Minute.
Mayor Pat Bourke said it was not only an issue affecting Federation Council but other areas downstream of the Murray including Tocumwal and Barooga.
“The tourism was basically a non-event,” Mayor Bourke said.
“People were arriving with their boats and leaving the next day because there was no opportunity.”
Cr Whitechurch described the issue as a matter of urgency.
“This has been an ongoing issue for this shire and a lot of the shires between Lake Hume and Mulwala and even further downstream,” he said.
“Last week the river hit its lowest point in the last 12 months. People are going home.
“But it’s not just here, it’s an issue right along the river. Different areas have been gutted by people going home when it should be a golden time to make money for their businesses.”
The Milczarek family of Corowa standing in the middle of the river.
Cr Whitechurch also highlighted the danger in the river when the water is low.
“Speedboats, jet skis, and even the local rowing club have had issues,” he said.
“Rowers have had oars hit the bottom or logs with the river being only 1.4m deep.”
Accompanied by The Free Press on Saturday Cr Whitechurch also highlighted issues raised by tourists at the lagoon- the area’s most popular swimming spot.
“I walked out to the middle of the river and children and people were swimming right in the middle with jet skis and boats speeding past around that bend.
“If we had a roadway that had a tree down, an obstacle on the road, or water around it, we would mitigate the risk, close the road and put signs up. Yet here we are with a dangerously low river system.
“I’ve spoken to people that have been coming to Corowa for 40 odd years, people at the lagoon, and I was berated and then supported when I told them that I was bringing it up at council with the purpose of getting a satisfactory river level as seasonal times.”
Cr Whitechurch said he was aware it had been brought up with the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)before.
“As a shire, we owe the residents, businesses, and the people travelling here to be active on the issue.”
Cr Whitechurch then moved a motion to convene a meeting with the governing body of the MDBA to formulate a (Memorandum of Understanding) MOU that would generate satisfactory river between Lake Hume and Mulwala from Boxing Day to Australia Day and other seasonal days as required.
Cr Whitechurch received unanimous support from his councillors.
At the lagoon on Saturday, the Free Press spoke with several visitors to the region including the Rhodes and Sayers families.
Both families have been visiting Corowa from Melbourne every year for over 40 years and expressed their disappointment at the water authorities for not allowing more water to flow through.
“We have never seen it like this before and we’ve been coming here for over 40 years,” both families said.
“We had other family up here, but they’ve gone home because they can’t get the boats on the water. We’ve watched so many boat users over the last few days hit the sandbar around the bend, It’s dangerous.
“You could pretty much walk to the other side two days ago (last Thursday). Yarrawonga and Mulwala are chocka block. There are too many people there. They won’t come here. This is just killing the town.”
The Harewoods have been coming up to Corowa for 45 years and described the situation as “very sad for Corowa”.
“This is the first time that we haven’t been able to put our boat in the water,” Mr Harewood said.
“Fortunately, we’ve got the lagoon for the kids to cool off in but they’re missing a year of water skiing.”
Mr Harewood said he and his family loved coming to Corowa as the town wasn’t as busy as other places along the Murray.
“It’s excellent for skiing, the boat ramp is great the weather is fairly stable, and you’ve got the club in town,” he said.
At Tuesday’s meeting, following the passing of Cr Whitechurch’s motion, Mayor Bourke said a meeting with RAMJO in February would be an ideal opportunity to meet with the MDBA.
