LEHIA Newsletter for Spring 2020
When writing this Newsletter, it is still in the depths of Winter and with everything happening in the world, Spring seems to be a long way off.
Our thoughts are with all families and businesses, especially small businesses, that have been impacted on by the Coronavirus Pandemic. This is most difficult times.
It has been a difficult last 6 months with the secondary impacts of Bushfires in January, then the Coronavirus hit with the Lake being locked down over the Easter Holidays.
During this time, LEHIA actively advocated to Ministers and Government Authorities, including GMW, on behalf of its Members and the Houseboat owners. LEHIA greatly appreciated the support of the BIA Vic, as the peak Recreational Boating Body in Victoria for its advocacy to Ministers.
Hopefully, everyone by now has paid their Annual Houseboat Licence Fees to GMW. If you have not, you are strongly urged to please make contact with GMW. As a result of LEHIA’s advocacy, LEHIA was made aware of the GMW Hardship Policies which GMW will try and assist Houseboat Owners with. It is important to note, the Houseboat Licences are only for one year and you have to apply to GMW to renew them. If you have any concerns, please contact GMW.
It certainly is unpresented times as well as unpredictable times. During the Lake Lockdown the phones were quiet; when the Lake was re-opened activity has been good for houseboat building, maintenance and sales.
Now with Greater Melbourne & Mitchell Shire in lockdown again the phones have gone quiet, yet activity on web sites has been encouraging.
In talking with friends in Regional Real Estate, they have experienced very good sales of recent times, whilst Melbourne has been sluggish. The messages coming through is that people are looking for homes and holiday homes out of Melbourne, due to people feeling they are in a safer environment as well as International Holidays being off the agenda for a couple of years and the State Borders will be restricted for Victorians for some time; possibly six months. This will take us into next year.
With that being the case, I could not think of a better place for families to be next Summer than on a Houseboat on magical Lake Eildon.
Hopefully, a vaccine for the Coronavirus will be produced sooner rather than later.
The Victorian State Government Regulations governing Houseboating on Lake Eildon were last set in 2013. These Regulations will sunset in 2023. A new set of Regulations will be developed to replace them.
In a letter from the Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, over coming months DELWP will begin consultation with key houseboat stakeholders to determine the best way to engage the industry and community in the development of the replacement policy and regulations. LEHIA looks forward to being engaged and representing its Members, during this process.
LEHIA participated in the BIA Vic Melbourne Virtual Boat & Fishing Show in late July. It was most pleasing to see the Four Marinas and some of the leading Houseboat Businesses working together to promote the Lake Eildon Brand to prospective clients.
Murrindindi Shire Council together with another local business also exhibited to promote our wonderful district.
With Greater Melbourne in lockdown at this time, it was a great opportunity to put Lake Eildon front of mind to many Melbournians.
Working together, even though we may be in competition with each other, we all WIN. Our real competition is not each other, but the other holiday areas seeking to attract visitors. Covid19 provides us with a real opportunity, as this area has so many pluses to tick off as to why someone would invest here.
Keep Well & Keep Safe and we look forward to seeing you, your families and your friends (Yes, please bring your friends up too) at magical Lake Eildon soon. I cannot think of a better place for Melbournians to escape to.
Love Lake Eildon
Mike Dalmau
President
LEHIA 21-07-2020