Port Elliot pontoon set to return to Horseshoe Bay this summer pending affordable insurance coverage

A much-loved pontoon at one of SA’s most popular tourist destinations will return to the water … but there’s a catch.

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

The future of a much-loved pontoon at one of the state’s most popular beaches will depend on the local council finding affordable insurance coverage.

Alexandrina Council on Monday night backed the return of the pontoon to Port Elliot’s Horseshoe Bay “this summer” after a storm washed it ashore in September.

A packed gallery attended the council’s meeting, at which elected members resolved to return the pontoon to the water all-year around.

But first the council resolved to reach out to the Department of Infrastructure and Transport for clearance, and assess the insurance costs.

A department spokesman confirmed on Tuesday it had no concerns about returning the structure to the water and was working with council staff for formal approval.

Port Elliot local Tara Gray with children Riley, 8, and 12, in Port Elliot, where the Horseshoe Bay pontoon has been removed. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Initial feedback from DIT is that we should obtain approval, and our insurers have told us that they are prepared to insure the pontoon, subject to meeting conditions, but we want to review those conditions so we can reduce the cost to Council,” Alexandrina mayor Keith Parkes said.

“Once we have the DIT approval in place, council will be talking to the Port Elliot Surf Life Saving Club about undertaking visual inspections of the pontoon.

“We also resolved to approach South Australian diving clubs to ask members with appropriate engineering competencies and qualifications if they would be willing to undertake dives at no cost or low cost so we can meet any obligations to complete underwater inspections.”

Mr Parkes said initial advice suggested the pontoon would require daily and underwater inspections appeared cost-prohibitive, so the council would ask its insurers to review those requirements.

Port Elliot beach with pontoon in the water. Picture: iStock

A report tabled before the meeting suggested the council would need to spend $186,131 a year to return the pontoon to the water.

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.

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

“We want a report to come back to Council Members as quickly as possible detailing outcomes of our cost reduction discussions and what support we might have from our community so we can return the pontoon to Horseshoe Bay as soon as possible and at a reasonable cost to ratepayers,” Mr Parkes said.

“We also want to thank the Port Elliot Surf Life Saving Club and all its volunteers for managing the pontoon over many years since 2013. They have done a wonderful job to ensure our community can enjoy this popular swimming aid.”

Originally published as Port Elliot pontoon set to return to Horseshoe Bay this summer pending affordable insurance coverage