Mildura Paddle Steamers business shut down by NSW border restrictions
Even as some rules ease, Mildura’s iconic Murray River paddle-steamers are set to remain docked – all because of where the NSW state boundary starts.
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New South Wales border restrictions have brought an iconic tourism business to a grinding halt.
Mildura Paddle Steamers, which typically operates a three-vessel fleet, has been docked because of measures to keep Victorians out.
The Murray River is part of NSW and therefore is covered by the state’s permit system, intended to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Mildura Paddle Steamers marketing manager Ashton Kreuzer said the business wanted NSW to introduce an exemption to allow regional Victorians to access the river.
As it stands, even a journey that begins and ends on the Victorian side at Mildura Wharf, and provides no opportunity to disembark onto NSW land, is not permitted.
“We are a commercial business, so it’s not like we’re just ferrying passengers across,” Ms Kreuzer said.
In a cruel irony, even though Mildura Paddle Steamers has the option of servicing NSW customers, local accommodation on that side of the border has been booked out by defence force personnel and police officers staffing the border checkpoints, leaving little room for tourists.
Ms Kreuzer said after the first lockdowns, the business was in June able to begin cruising again at limited capacity – then, a month later, the border closure hit.
“We had an income that was meeting the cost of maintaining the business without dipping into our emergency reserve funds,” she said.
“Whereas now, we’re eating into our reserves and there’s no income whatsoever, but there’s ongoing expenses having these three vessels, they are heritage vessels as well so there are a lot of costs.”
Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said tourism businesses had been “hammered” by border closures.
He said about 20 per cent of the region’s visitor market comes from South Australia, which has introduced harsher border measures.
A further 33 per cent came from regional Victoria and Melbourne.
“We’ve copped a hiding on all levels,” Mr Millington said.
Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence has written to NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, asking her to allow border residents to make use of the Murray River.
He said it would have economic and wellbeing benefits.
“We’re a river community and for many of us enjoying the river for boating, fishing or camping is part of our lifestyle,” Cr Clemence said.
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