THE Cumberoona paddlesteamer could soon be operating in Albury for four months each year and spend the remaining eight months running in Yarrawonga.
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Robbie and Fraser Knowles, of Yarrawonga, propose to operate the vessel in Albury when river levels are high enough, at a purchase price of $30,000.
Under the proposal, the paddlesteamer would spend the rest of the time on Lake Mulwala and at the Murray River at Yarrawonga.
A boat suited to low river levels would replace the Cumberoona in Albury when the historic vessel could not operate.
The plan is one of six submissions put forward to Albury Council.
The council’s Community and Cultural Committee recommends councillors support the Knowles’ proposal.
Councillors will vote on the issue on Monday after previously voting to dispose of the vessel.
Continue reading below for more detail on each option.
The Adelaide Nautical College wants to relocate the vessel and operate it commercially in that city for training.
The council would pay to transport the Cumberoona to Adelaide, which a report notes would come at “significant net cost to council” of about $250,000.
A community group also wants to operate the vessel as a non-profit community project, Gehrig Winery proposes to use the vessel as a drawcard to the business, and the Ettamogah Group wants to have the boat located at Ettamogah Pub.
The Friends of the Cumberoona propose the vessel stay in council ownership, with a board to manage its operations, but the proposal did not conform to council guidelines.
A council report says the Knowles’ plan to operate the Cumberoona was “ideal”.
“Robbie and Fraser Knowles have suitable expertise and resources to operate and maintain the vessel,” the report states.