Over recent weeks it has been amazing to see the new crop of newly built houseboats hit the water. Also, most encouraging to see the houseboats that have been extended and refurbished returned to the Lake.
As a member of the Industry, I feel pride as to what you the Houseboat Industry has accomplished.
The new designs, the new layouts, the new décor, and the new technology; it is amazing.
As an Industry you should all be so proud of what you are achieving.
The knowledge, expertise, and craftsmanship of all involved is exceptional.
Meeting and surpassing clients’ expectations and turning their dreams into reality is again something you as the Houseboat Industry should be so proud of. I know I am when I show people through your businesses.
Without looking into the rear vision mirror for too long this has not always been the case.
As your President, I am always able to proclaim that we build world class houseboats at Lake Eildon.
Further to this, the issue of Grey Water Discharge from houseboats has been a significant issue for many years. Ten years ago, houseboat owners were compelled to instal Grey Water Systems under the Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations. There were many issues with the then available systems and the process that led to them being in the Regulations. Fortunately, the then Minister repealed this condition in the Regulations.
However, the need to find a solution that would satisfy the Department of Health and the Environment Protection Authority has not gone away.
A new process was commenced by DEECA/DELWP to seek a viable solution.
This time this new process has been a positive process as it engaged the Industry and the houseboat owners in a respectful collaborative manner.
This has led to two LEHIA Members with extensive experience in houseboats and plumbing putting their brilliant minds together and they have come up with what appears to be a viable solution that works.
This system has now been installed on Paul Williams Houseboat “Imagine” for trials. This has been undertaken in conjunction with DEECA and GMW. Initial results are most positive.
To me, the important message is after having spent many thousands of dollars searching the world for a grey water system solution, our brilliant minds have come up with what appears to be a viable solution that will work.
Further, to get this system installed on “Imagine” it meant more members of the industry had to work together to make it happen at an extremely busy time for all involved.
A big thankyou to Aiden Gale and John Gysberts for coming up with the “Eildon Solution for Grey Water Treatment”. Plus, thankyou to Paul Williams; Eildon Slipping Services; Eild Marina; Status Luxury Houseboats; and Faster Plumbers for all your brilliant work.
Plus, a thank you to the staff at DEECA and GMW for their collaborative support with this process.
With this Eildon Solution we can also boast we build the most environmentally friendly houseboats in the world.
The significance of finding the Eildon Solution for Grey Water is extremely important as the Department of Health and the EPA will not even look at the issuing of any new houseboat licenses until there is a solution in place.
Since the Houseboat Regulations of 2013 permitted the new larger size of houseboats there have been well over 70 new houseboats built. That means 70 smaller older houseboats have been removed from the Lake and their Houseboat Licenses have been transferred to the newly built houseboats.
Just about all of the smaller houseboats had GMW Category 3 Houseboat Licenses. My understanding is there are now less than 10 of the Category 3 Houseboats left on the Lake.
The concern of the Industry is where are the Licenses going to come from for the future to sustain the industry and the important jobs.
We have built up a World Class Industry with the staff with the required expertise; we cannot let the Industry revert to where we were pre 2013.
LEHIA is continuing to advocate for 10 New Licenses per year for the next ten years.
The Eildon Solution for Grey Water is an important step in seeing this happen.
Having positive relations within DEECA at a high level is critical.
Having positive relations with GMW at a very high level is also most important.
Further, with recent changes at Murrindindi Shire Council, we have positive support. They understand retaining and growing skilled jobs in this area is extremely important.
The BIA Vic has been extremely important and has been advocating for our Industry up to Ministerial level.
During the year as your President, I was invited to a Goulburn Regional Partnership meeting and presented on issues affecting the houseboat industry and Lake Eildon. A very positive response was received especially when they were shown through the factories and onto a new houseboat.
Finding staff and training staff is an issue for our Industry. We are not alone in Regional Victoria. We have worked with Dan Brown at the BIA Vic and the CRLLEN to highlight these issues.
This week LEHIA has supported an application by M.S.C. for a Tertiary Education Hub in Murrindindi. Our support was greatly appreciated. If and when this Tertiary Education Hub happens it will be a very beneficial to our Industry.
LEHIA continues to work with DEECA as the review of the Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations continues. These Regulations will set up the Industry for the next 10 years and are planned to come into effect on 1st July 2024. With the current positive collaborative approach with DEECA staff any concerns of the Industry will be positively listened to with this process.
Over the last 12 months LEHIA has received great support from Steve and his team at BIA Vic. As the peak recreational boating body for Victoria, they do a really great job. Thank you, Steve.
I have been around for some would say too long, but the Industry has never had the respectful, collaborative relationship it now has with DEECA staff. We thank Mike, Leonie, and now Lizzie who has taken over from Toni & Greg. Thank you, we look forward to continuing to work positively together.
Recently, it was great to be invited to a GMW Board Members function in Shepparton where I was warmly welcomed by the Board Chair, Diane James OAM and Managing Director Charmaine Quick. Having positive conversations with them and other Board Members and Senior Managers was very constructive.
This led to Charmaine and other senior staff inspecting the Eildon Solution for Grey Water on Imagine at EBC last week. It was extremely important that they saw the system and were able to ask questions.
LEHIA has positive respectful relation with Regional Development Victoria Hume Region and the Goulburn Regional Partnership. They provide access to Government at senior levels for positive initiatives for the Lake Eildon Region which includes our Houseboat Industry.
M.S.C. appointed a new CEO in Livia Bonazzi some two years ago. It was a pleasure to introduce Livia to Lake Eildon and the Houseboat Industry. However, what is most important has been some of Livia’s senior appointments with a new Director of Community & Development in Andrew Paxton and Ben Harnwell as Manager of Economic Development. It has been a great pleasure working with them as they get it about the importance of the Houseboat Industry and the potential of Lake Eildon.
Bringing all these politicians and senior bureaucrats through your businesses, their eyes are opened to the amazing work you do, but what impresses them also is the spirit, attitude, and culture as you are all so supportive of each other.
I would like to thank you the members of LEHIA and the people who work in our Industry. You all do amazing work; work you should be so proud of.
I would like to thank the LEHIA Executive for your support and great work throughout the year.
I do not know where we would be without Teena’s great work as our admin support. Thank you, Teena.
Something to celebrate and be proud of: – “At Lake Eildon our Industry builds, refurbishes and maintains world class houseboats which are amongst the most environmentally friendly and are at the leading edge with technology whilst providing many local jobs”.
This all comes about with hard work and more importantly with the collaborative spirit and culture as we respect, we are in competition with each other as when we all work together, we all win.
The evidence is the Houseboat Industry has never been busier.
Looking forward to a great Summer Season with the full Lake and a very prosperous 2024.
Wishing you, your staff, and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year.
Love Lake Eildon
Regards
Mike Dalmau
President
LEHIA
7-12-2023