ALBURY-Wodonga has long had a reputation for being the hole in the doughnut when it comes to tourism on the Border.
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The Twin Cities are considered devoid of attractions while surrounded by sweet drawcards, be they the wineries of Rutherglen, heritage of Beechworth or submarine of Holbrook.
That may be somewhat unfair – if you’re a trains enthusiast you can’t help but be impressed by Albury railway station, similarly Wodonga’s Bonegilla migrant camp is integral to Australia’s post World War II society.
But there is certainly a lack of capitalisation on Albury-Wodonga’s biggest natural attraction, the Murray River.
It is something Albury councillor Murray King seized on his election campaign last year with his push for campervan parking on the river and a caravan park.
Now Wodonga hotelier Tom Weatherall has gone public with his plan to create a caravan park on Lincoln Causeway land occupied by his family’s old brickworks.
Feedback from Border Mail readers was overwhelmingly positive – “great idea” was the reaction from numerous Facebook commentators.
It is apparent there is a community feeling that Murray River frontage can be enhanced and tourism dollars drawn to the Twin Cities through such a proposal.
The biggest hurdle is environmental green tape, flooding is not uncommon along the Murray and Albury’s Noreuil Park caravan park closed after experiencing inundations.
The North East Catchment Management Authority, which is central to riverside planning, responded to Mr Weatherall’s plan by stating it would have to meet guidelines for causeway land.
Mr Weatherall noted when flooding had occurred it had not actually resulted in high water flowing into the brickworks.
Clearly plenty of safeguards are likely to be needed for a caravan park to be located on the causeway, but that does not mean it should be dismissed easily.
In the meantime, Albury Council is considering feedback on ideas for its river frontage with suggestions ranging from an outdoor bar to a miniature railway.
Despite many locals loving the riverside areas, there is fair scope for improvements, particularly those that appeal to tourists.
The Twin Cities could become more akin to a jam doughnut with a sticky centre to hold tourists.