VISITORS to the Pioneer Settlement will now have a softer landing as they
disembark from the Pyap paddle-steamer after the official opening of the
Horseshoe Bend Wharf.
The wharf was unveiled on Friday as part of continuing
developments outlined in the Riverfront Masterplan.
Captain Bill Hogg guided
the Pyap paddle-steamer safely up to the wharf on Friday morning before
representatives from Swan Hill Rural Council and Tourism Victoria embarked,
walking up the automated ramp that forms part of the wharf’s infrastructure.
Captain Hogg said the wharf’s design allowed him to align the paddle-steamer
with a ramp regardless of the level of the river.
“As you can see the river
level is going up today, so I might be using the higher ramp later,” he
said.
“But even if it gets too high, I can use the automated ramp, which can
go to any level.”
The official opening was attended by local and state party
representatives including Member for Mallee John Forrest, Nationals candidate
for Mallee Andrew Broad and Federal Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh.
Mr
Walsh said the new facility made for a “silver lining” to the rain clouds that
were the 2011 floods.
For more of this story, see Monday’s Guardian (August 5).
