By LES PEARSON

HOUSEBOATING mooring restrictions have been all but demolished from the State Government’s finalised management strategy.

Following public consultation last year, the Houseboat, Mooring and Marina Strategy on the River Murray was developed by the Department of Planning and Department of Water, Land, Biodiversity and Conservation

(DWLBC).

While most river users were satisfied with a majority of points in the strategy, it was the suggested designated mooring points for houseboats that caused the

real angst.

In turn, the advice from DWLBC on the houseboat strategy is that work is now focused on an educative approach with a draft publication Best Practice Guide for Boat Users on the River Murray circulated to selected industry stakeholders including Boating Industry Association of South Australia, River Murray Boat Owners Association, Houseboat Hirers Association and relevant local and state government

agencies.

Houseboat Hirer’s Association chief executive officer Peter Tucker said it was a great result for the industry.

“The initial paper was poorly researched, drafted and written,” he said.

Government officials met with the association in mid-November last year to discuss the strategy, Mr Tucker applauding the educational direction the strategy is

now taking.

“Credit where it’s due, they listened,” he said.

“It was a nasty thing at the start but now they’ve changed their minds and that’s really good.”

Mr Tucker expressed gratitude to other boating groups and river users who helped amend the original strategy.

Advice from the Department of Planning and Local Government is that the marina strategy is progressing but won’t be ready for the Urban Development and Planning Minister’s consideration before the second quarter of this

year.

A final version is now being prepared for the River Murray Minister’s endorsement.

“I haven’t seen the full draft yet but I’m expecting to see it soon, as they said it would be released in the new year.” Mr Tucker said.

Houseboat Adventure proprietor Shane Smith indicated relief that commonsense has

prevailed.

“It was probably someone sitting in an office that thought that one (the original strategy) up,” Mr Smith said.

“If you can’t pull up where you want to, why would you

bother?”