Recently, it was a great pleasure to watch the video “The Local Project Halycon” produced by Stephen Jolson. Having known the Jolson Family for a number of years (the Late Henry Jolson a former Commodore of EBC), I found Stephen’s story beautiful, magnificent and a bit emotional.
The story epitomises the wonderful journey so many families have on our magical Lake that delivers so many special times and the priceless memories that bond families together for a lifetime. On top of this, to have a highly professional architect with his skills set to put together a house that embodies all this sentiment and passion is amazing. So very rapt to have someone like Stephen with his passion, background, knowledge, and skills designing and building houseboats for the next generation.
The important message from this is with people like Stephen involved the houseboat industry has a very vibrant future. At Lake Eildon, we know, we build world class houseboats.
Further, it was interesting to receive the following feedback from a person who grew up in Eildon and began working in the houseboat industry around 40 years ago and more recently on the Murray River. This person was working with his son on a houseboat in the Lake Eildon Industrial Park. He commented to his son that so much had changed since he first started working on houseboats here in Eildon with how busy the yards were, the number of people involved, and the level of professionalism and expertise had progressed enormously, great feedback.
Having said this, there are always challenges to overcome and work through to ensure the Houseboat Industry continues to provide the extremely important jobs within the local community.
One of the most important challenges for the Houseboat Industry currently is the future availability Houseboat Licenses. With well over 60 new houseboats built since the change of the Houseboat Regulations permitting the larger sized houseboats, this has seen many of the older smaller Category 3 houseboats removed from the Lake. Currently, there are less than 10 Category 3 houseboats remaining on Lake Eildon. Where are the Licenses going to come from to continue to sustain the jobs?
To continue to provide and grow the number of local jobs the Houseboat Businesses require certainty to enable continual investment in factories, plant, machinery, and their most important asset their highly skilled staff. LEHIA will continue to advocate for the release of 10 New Houseboat Licenses per year for 10 years. LEHIA is requesting that this be considered in the review of the Lake Eildon Houseboat Regulations that are due to commence on 1st July 2024.
Currently Houseboat Licenses sold on the open market are selling for in excess of $125,000.00. Currently under the Water Act, any new Houseboat Licenses can be issued but not sold.
LEHIA is advocating that a solution be found to enable the Houseboat Licenses to be sold at market value. LEHIA is also advocating that the money raised be used for Infrastructure Improvements for Houseboats. This includes a new Sewerage Pumping Station at Jerusalem Creek and a new Pipeline from Jerusalem Creek to the GVW Eildon Sewerage Treatment Plant. The plans and a costing pre Covid-19 have been completed for this infrastructure work.
There are two possible options to raise the money for this Houseboat Infrastructure: –
(i) Selling 10 Houseboat Licenses at, at least $100,000.00 each raises $1 million plus or $10 million over 10 years.
(ii) Currently, there are around 720 Houseboat Licenses, by raising the Annual Fee, on top of the current fee, by $1,000.00 each raises $720,000.00 per year.
LEHIA is advocating for Option (i).
One of the important items holding back this conversation regarding the release of new Houseboat Licenses has been the requirement to have a solution for Grey Water Discharge from Houseboats on Lake Eildon. LEHIA is confident that the system put together by qualified local Houseboat Plumbers, Aiden Gale & John Gysberts will satisfy this requirement.
LEHIA is continuing to work positively with DEECA on trailing and testing this Grey Water Treatment System. We look forward to more positive results in the near future. It is anticipated that a solution to Grey Water Discharge will be part of the new Houseboat Regulations to come in on 1st July 2024.
Recently, LEHIA hosted the new Murrindindi Shire Council Director of Community & Development, Andrew Paxton. After 2 hours Andrew had a new understanding of the Houseboat Industry and the opportunities provided by the Lake Eildon Master Plan.
LEHIA also met with the MSC Project Manager for Shaping Murrindindi’s Future which is seeking opportunities for jobs as the Native Timber Industry is closed down. Allisha was made aware of the opportunities provided by the Houseboat Industry and the Lake Eildon Master Plan.
There has been concern regarding the lack of suitable rental housing in the area and the impact this is having on attracting staff, LEHIA has participated in this conversation and provided constructive input from a business case scenario.
LEHIA will be hosting visits from the BIA Vic and the CRLLEN (Central Ranges Local Learning Employment Network) in the near future. Both organizations are important partners for LEHIA.
Finally, most importantly, the Goulburn Regional Partnership, an extremely important Economic Development Group, made up of significant business people and senior bureaucrats from the Goulburn Valley will be holding a meeting at Lake Eildon. LEHIA has been invited to make a presentation and introduce the group to the Houseboat Industry and the importance of the Lake Eildon Master Plan.
This visit and presentation is timely with the impacts of the decision to close the Native Forestry Industry as the Lake Eildon Master Plan and the Houseboat Industry can play an important role in providing the jobs for the future of this Lake Eildon Region.
At the time of writing Lake Eildon is at 95% of Capacity; the Lake will be FULL for the forthcoming Boating Season; looking good.
The Lake Eildon Houseboat Industry producing world class environmentally friendly houseboats whilst providing many local jobs.
Love Lake Eildon
Mike Dalmau President LEHIA