Popular Port Elliot pontoon remains beached as costs soar

The well-loved and much-used pontoon at Port Elliot will remain beached after Alexandrina Council reversed its previous position. Here’s why.

Swimming pontoons across the state are in danger of being beached due to increasing costs, with a crisis meeting being held today involving 10 councils and the Local Government Association’s insurance arm.

The meeting is being held following a decision by the Alexandrina Council to reverse a previous decision to return the much-loved Port Elliot pontoon to its spot in Horseshoe Bay, saying it would cost it $68,000 a year to meet liability insurance requirements.

Alexandrina mayor Keith Parkes said to comply with liability insurance requirements, the council would have to conduct daily drone flights over the pontoon, weekly inspections and remove it twice a year for maintenance.

“It would cost $68,000 to do it and we don’t have that in our budget,’’ he said.

Locals Tara Gray with her kids Riley Gray, 8, and Ariana Gray, 12, in Port Elliot, where the Horseshow Bay pontoon has been removed. Picture: Matt Loxton

SA Coastal Councils Alliance executive officer Adam Gray said there were many councils in a similar position and a meeting today with the LGA Mutual Liability Scheme would “discuss a path forward’’.

“I believe Robe Council will not be installing their pontoon unless other arrangements can be agreed to,’’ Mr Gray said. “We are aware of approximately 20 coastal pontoons across the State.’’

He said he had also been approached by councils in the Riverland facing similar issues.

“Councils are hoping to negotiate a more reasonable management &and maintenance schedule under their insurance for coastal swimming pontoons,’’ he said.

The Alexandrina Council mayor said negotiations with insurers were continuing and he hoped a compromise could be found.

“If we can get this thing with the insurer sorted out, we are more than happy to keep it,’’ he said.

Mr Parkes said the council had voted this week to return the pontoon “to the community’’ but acknowledged that it was unknown if another group would or could take control of it.

Last month, the council endorsed the pontoon’s return depending on a final report on costs.

The structure sat 120 metres off shore until a storm in September dislodged it from its moorings and it washed onto the beach.

The pontoon has become a well-used attraction for locals and tourists alike since it was purchased and installed by the Port Elliot Surf Life Saving Club 11 years ago

Originally published as Popular Port Elliot pontoon remains beached as costs soar