A decades-long fight to get recreational river access in Kiewa could soon be won.
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Indigo Council has recently committed to buying an old North East Catchment Management Authority depot on Kiewa East road for a confidential amount.
The property, with access to water, electricity, sewage and other utilities, is approximately 5643 square metres of land with Kiewa River frontage.
Development of the site would be subject to further planning and funding, but resident and former councillor Peter Croucher considers the purchase of the site crucial.
“It has wonderful potential, if we get it that’s the first step,” he said.
“I’ve lived here for 50 years and there’s always been a push to get access to the river.
“It’s a place that has a beautiful river running through the town and you can’t get to it.
“There was a committee established after the Murray Goulburn closure was announced and we’ve been looking for something for the town.”
There have been two major bids by council in recent years to secure land for river access, both which were unsuccessful.
Mr Croucher believes this property is the best opportunity yet, situated metres from the Kiewa General Store, the Kiewa Valley Highway, and the route of a proposed rail trail.
“Twenty-five blocks have just been bought at Tangambalanga – the whole area is just growing,” he said.
At the December council meeting 13 letters of support and a petition with 316 signatures were tabled.
As Parklands Albury-Wodonga ranger Ant Packer pointed out in her letter of support, the Kiewa is one of three premier rivers in Victoria for recreational fishing.
Tangambalanga Leading Senior Constable Lisa Lorenz wrote she would be eager to form part of a working group to mitigate any risk of proposed development.
“I feel that a publicly accessible recreational area would benefit local communities by increasing the incidence of tourists stopping in our picturesque area,” she said.
Tangam Motors owner Neale Wells said when he and his family moved to the town in 1985 they were “surprised to find no access to the river from the town that bears its name”.
“If anyone asks about river access I have to send them to Bandiana or Kergunyah,” he wrote.
“Most country towns have at least a small picnic area or some informal public space to access their river.”
Those seeking a swim currently jump off the bridge and climb up the banks where a few metres is accessible from the road, and residents wanting to fish often get permission from landowners or go elsewhere.