Owner of the iconic PS Melbourne Adam Auditori threatens departure amid bitter signage standoff with Mildura Rural City Council

A fiery dispute over wharf signage is threatening the future of one of Mildura’s most historic vessels, with its owner warning he may abandon the town if council continues to ignore his pleas.

The historic Paddle Steamer Melbourne could be on its way out of Mildura can't resolve a signage issue with Mildura Rural City Council.

An ugly stoush is brewing on the banks of the Murray River between the new owner of a paddle steamer and the council over a signage policy to promote 113-year-old queen of the river

Paddle Steamer Melbourne owner Adam Auditori says he is considering leaving Mildura, threatening to remove the historic vessel from its home of 60 years due to what he claims is an unfair council signage policy limiting his ability to promote the attraction.

The signage for the Paddle Steamer Melbourne was removed from this prominent location to a nearby fence by council according to Mr Auditori. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

“No one from the council is really enthusiastic about talking to me,” Mr Auditori said.

According to Mr Auditori, the trouble began on February 6 when signage he installed on the wharf was removed by council staff and relocated to nearby fencing.

Since then, Mr Auditori claimed other operators had received “more prominent” advertising spots, putting PS Melbourne at a disadvantage.

The Paddle Steamer Melbourne has been a fixture on the Murray River in Mildura since 1966 when Captain Alby Pointon purchased the vessel. Picture: Supplied

Mr Auditori said the council initially appeared keen to retain PS Melbourne in Mildura when he purchased the vessel but soon stopped returning his calls.

“At the moment people think it doesn’t exist or it is not running, and then when we do come through, people are upset they have missed an opportunity,” he said.

Despite submitting paperwork that was meant to take no longer than 30 days in early February, Mr Auditori said he was still waiting for a clear explanation from the council about why his signage was removed.

Mr Auditori said since the signage was removed and placed on the nearby fence, the Paddle Steamer Melbourne sign had been defaced on multiple occasions.

Since the signage for the PS Melbourne was removed to a nearby fence it has been defaced multiple times according to Mr Auditori. Picture: Supplied

Mr Auditori detailed a recent phone call in which he claimed a council staff member mentioned that a family member of the vessel’s former owner, who operates other boats in Mildura, had raised issues about the signage.

“What the hell has he got to do with it?” Mr Auditori asked.

Asked if he believed MRCC would co-operate to resolve the dispute, Mr Auditori replied bluntly: “Absolutely not.”

With his requests for a level playing field seemingly falling on deaf ears, Mr Auditori warned that unless the issue was resolved soon, he would “pack up (his) bags and head off,” taking the PS Melbourne with him.

Mildura Rural City Council was contacted for comment but did not respond by deadline.