The
Murray River and Lakes are very much open for business…
A Myth
Buster
Australia’s
mighty River Murray is not dry.
It’s open for
boating business. As usual.
The existing and continuing drought conditions are having a
wide-ranging, negative and significant impact on lives and livelihoods
across much of Australia.
Drought conditions, say the daily press, are having a level of impact
on recreational boating and holiday boating activities in several
States but the good news is that, despite mischievous/misleading
reporting in some quarters, the
River Murray is not dry and is open for business.
FACT: The Murray River is
experiencing less than its usual inflow.
FACT: The Murray River, as rivers
do, goes through periods of drought and flood.
FACT: The depth of water in the
River, between the “Old Customs House” at the South
Australian/Victorian and New South Wales borders all the way, 362
kilometres, downstream to Blanchetown is maintained at constant levels
by a series of Locks.
FACT: Water Levels “below” Lock 1
at Blanchetown through to the Murray Mouth, 274 kilometres, have
dropped something over half a metre. This part of the River runs past
Mannum, Murray Bridge and Tailem Bend and is one of the deepest parts
of the River system and there is still plenty of water for safe
houseboating, cruising and all other water activities. Careful
navigation, as always, will allow cruising all the way to Goolwa at
the Mouth.
FACT: All forms of enjoyable
boating opportunities remain available in the Lower Lakes.
FACT: The casual visitor to River
Murray communities would be hard pressed to notice the “lower than
normal” levels.
FACT: Ferries are operational and
are still taking trucks and cars and boat trailers and caravans.
FACT: The Murray Darling Basin,
the catchment for the Murray Rivers System, overflows into Queensland,
New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and South Australia. The Basin
provides water supplies to nearly a third of mainland Australia.
FACT: The Murray Darling Basin
Commission (MDBC) Canberra, reports that the volume of
water making its way into the River Murray from rain and snow-falls
(inflows) is greater than in 2006/07.
FACT:
The MDBC is conserving as much water as possible by using weir pools
to supply downstream requirements.
FACT:
Flows into South Australia are less than the normal “entitlements” but
the good news is
the
River Murray is not dry and it is open for business.
Lake Bonney January 2008
South
Australia's recreational boating industry with the houseboat hire and
charter sectors and with all hospitality and accommodation providers
is moving to boost business and end the misconception that the Murray
River is closed to holidaymakers.
BIASA CEO Glen
Jones confirms that despite reports of reduced water flows in the
Murray, the holiday, recreation and leisure boating sectors are in
full swing and holidaymakers can still travel the full length of the
River in South Australia.
"The great news
for Australian families is that - unlike most years – due to the
unfounded and negative publicity, a number of houseboats are still
available for the February summer period and right through to Easter".
“Regional boat
ramps which have been judged to be “at potential risk” due to the
ongoing drought have been extended.”
“Fishing has
never been better”.
“The pubs and clubs, the caravan parks and all accommodation houses
and their host communities with their sporting, leisure and recreation
facilities remain vibrant and, as always, they extend the traditional
and notable South Australian welcome”.
"Booking
a houseboat holiday or arranging charters or hire boats around this
time is traditionally almost impossible, but this year a range of
options are still available, so we're urging families to take this
wonderful opportunity for a relaxing holiday of a lifetime."
"So with
river conditions in South Australia ideal for all leisure activities,
our message to Australians is to grab your family and friends and book
your dream River Murray holiday this summer - all you need to worry
about is how to find those few days to unwind."
“The Murray River remains Australia’s best linear park.”
Lake Bonney
Sunday 28th October 2007
FUN,
FULL & FANTASTIC!
Waterskiing at
Mannum Sunday 18th Nov 2007
Upstream towards ferries
from Mary Ann Reserve
15th Oct
2007
SA Houseboat Industry: Open For Business
Houseboat
Hirers Association CEO Peter Tucker says that despite reports of low
water flows
into the River Murray, the houseboat industry is in full
swing and holidaymakers can still travel
the full length of the river in
South Australia.
"The
great news for Australian families is that - unlike many years - a
number of houseboats
are still available, at very affordable rates, from
now and up to the Christmas holidays and right through to Easter," Mr
Tucker says.
"Booking
a houseboat holiday around this time is traditionally almost impossible,
but this year
a range of options are still available, so we're urging
families to take this wonderful opportunity
to get away from the
stresses of everyday city life and escape to the peace and tranquillity
of the river, all you need is a driver's licence - and a few days to
unwind."
Murray River at Mannum January 26th 2008
Murray River at Mannum February 10th 2008
Murray River Ferry
Services
To see all the
Murray River Ferry services,
click here!
The Murraylands Regional Tourist Association
On behalf of our members and all operators on the Murray River, the
Association wishes to
correct misinformation that is out there in the
Press and Television Reports.
They sensationalize and misrepresent the operators which they interview
to sell papers and
airtime. They would have you believe there is no
water in the River at all this is simply NOT correct. There is
plenty of water for all recreational and holiday purposes.
FACT:
It won’t be the drought that closes business doors but the biased
reporting of the true River facts and political indifference to the
River operators.
At a time when things are tight our marketing dollars are being spent by
various bodies only
to be undermined by sensational headlines.
Click
here to view
the webcams
to get a daily shot of the river.
We would highly recommend the use of River Charts/Maps as these make
navigation of the
Murray River even safer. South Australia’s Waters, an
Atlas and guide has been put together
by the Boating Industry
Association of SA.
Operators on the River are resourceful, friendly people who when times
are tough, work
together whether it be flood or drought.
Murray Princess at Mannum 5th November
2007
"Relax, wind down and recharge on the
Murray"
New
South Wales/Victorian part of the Murray River
"Yes there is a drought
and yes irrigators have a severe reduction of water allocations,
but the reality is there is
still plenty of water in the river for boating, fishing, houseboats,
cruises etc. Towns near Lake Bonney and Lake Mulwala and right along the
Murray need
our support and the river is still the best place to Recharge
and Unwind."
- Murray River
Website Editor
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ultimate family bush adventure!
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