Don’t sell our riverboats, Mid Murray residents tell their council
A consultation has found “overwhelming” support for public ownership of the PS Marion and two other heritage-listed vessels.
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Mid Murray residents are overwhelmingly in favour of keeping three heritage-listed riverboats in public hands, according to the results of a council consultation.
Councillors voted last month to keep offering tourist cruises aboard the PS Marion, PW Mayflower and PS Canally for at least another year.
The Mid Murray council had expressed concern about the cost of operating the three vessels, estimated at $200,000 per year.
But almost all of the 200-plus residents who answered a call for public feedback said the expense was worth it.
The heritage vessels were “iconic symbols” of Mannum and Morgan, central to the towns’ identity, and unique tourism drawcards.
They were seen as living museums, preserving endangered skills and connecting generations.
Losing them would be “unthinkable” and “a death knell” for their communities.
Councillor Victoria Hammond said she had been moved to tears by some community members’ responses.
“I want to say to all of those people who (responded): thank you for your contribution, for letting us know how important these boats are to the community,” she said at the council’s December meeting.
“(There were) some great ideas in there I’d love to see us follow through on … ways we can make our boats more profitable, not just sustainable.”
In any case, Cr Jen Davis said: “The community’s support for the vessels has clearly shone through.”
What did the community survey tell us?
More than 90 per cent of survey respondents said it was important that the Marion, Mayflower and Canally keep operating, and almost two thirds suggested the council was best placed to do it.
Among all the survey responses:
- 100% said the riverboats were important to the district’s heritage and identity
- 97% thought they were important tourist attractions
- 97% suggested they were beneficial to local businesses
- 97% said they increased community pride
- 97% thought they increased volunteerism and social connection
- 96% believed that they benefited the regional economy
Asked what their top priority was for the riverboats, only six per cent answered “a sustainable financial model”.
Most felt the council’s investment was either about right or too low.
“While there are concerns about financial sustainability and volunteer succession, the prevailing sentiment is that these assets are irreplaceable and should be maintained as living, operational heritage for future generations,” councillors were told.
“The community favours continued council ownership and investment, with openness to innovative partnerships and enhanced marketing to ensure long-term sustainability.”
What will happen now?
Mid Murray councillors ultimately voted to maintain the status quo for at least 12 more months.
In future, they suggested, that they would be willing to consider outsourcing the boats’ operations to a not-for-profit or member-owned organisation.
No suitable organisation currently existed, but perhaps one could be created for the purpose, if community members were keen.
In the meantime, the council would consider creating a position for a maritime operations manager: someone whose job it would be to look after the riverboats and their volunteers.
That would free up the council’s tourism officer to focus on the bigger picture.
- Watch a replay of the council meeting: Visit the Mid Murray Council YouTube channel.
