A message from the Mayor - Murray River holidays

Published on 14 December 2015

Every year Council collaborates with many different community groups, other local government organisations, peak bodies and representative groups on a wide variety of projects, advocacy issues and educational programs.  These key alliances allow us to make best use of our resources and make sure we have access to a wide variety of new ideas and opinions.

One of these groups that we support is the Murray River Group of Councils.  MRGC was formed in 2006 to allow Council’s along the Murray River to collaborate on shared interests and concerns.  We realised that member Councils at a regional level were better served by working together.

While the major common interest of the MRGC is irrigated horticulture and the water supplied by the Murray River system, as a group we share many other similar issues, such as cross boarder anomalies, drought and water limitations, rural isolation and more.  One of the other key interests we all share is passion for river tourism.

At the most recent meeting of the MRGC, our final for the year, we celebrated Swan Hill Rural City Council’s opening of the new $3.85 million Heartbeat of the Murray Laser Spectacular at the Swan Hill Pioneer Museum. The Laser Show depicts the Murray River from Dreamtime to the present with a laser show projected onto this sheets of water fired into the air on the banks of the Little Murray River. The show is an amazing technological feat that adds to the recent upgrades of the Swan Hill Pioneer Museum.

Last week I encourage localised Christmas shopping, this week I would like to encourage "Regional" holidaying.

The Murray River that provides our life blood also offers us some of the best holiday destinations and experiences on offer, from house boats, camping and caravanning, hotels, motels, day drives and simple walks around places like the cliffs at Merbein or Red Cliffs. I would encourage "locals" to give some serious thought about a Murray River holiday taking in some of the excellent attractions that are on offer in our neighbouring municipalities.

Swan Hill is certainly worth the visit, as are Renmark, Echuca, Yarrawonga and the other towns throughout the Murray Valley, who all offer excellent holiday opportunities.  It’s a great way to keep investments flowing along the Murray.

And of course a holiday at home can be just as satisfying!  A houseboat on the river, a caravan, tent or unit all offer a chance to rest and enjoy our naturally beautiful surrounds, which we sometimes take for granted.

I encourage you to consider spending your holidays here at home, encourage your friends and family to visit and if you really want to get away, consider exploring one of the great towns within the Murray Valley and helps us all to prosper over Christmas.

Cr Glenn Milne
Mayor