Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer
A significant milestone in Renmark’s recovery from the 2022/23 flood event has been marked with the opening of the town’s new wharf.
A large crowd of local residents, plus local and state government representatives, gathered at the Renmark riverfront last Wednesday to mark the opening of the town’s redeveloped wharf.
Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter said council was “incredibly proud of what this project means for the long-term accessibility and safety of our community”.
“The Renmark Riverfront Wharf project has been a major undertaking for our council and I am thrilled the space is open to our community again,” Mr Hunter said.
“The riverfront is such a prominent and valued place for our community and I look forward to seeing boats lining the wharf over summer, walking groups accessing it once more and locals flocking to this new and improved infrastructure.
“I want to thank our community for their patience and support throughout this significant upgrade.
“The excitement has truly built amongst the community over the past few months and we look forward to seeing this enhanced spaced a hive of activity once more.”
Works on the riverfront redevelopment began in February.
Renmark Paringa Council chief executive officer Tony Siviour said the newly designed wharf had increased resistance to future flooding events.
“This infrastructure will be a key asset for our community for many decades to come,” Mr Siviour said.
“When planning this project while recovering from the 2022 floods, we made the commitment to build back better to ensure the new wharf is more accessible, more sustainable and more resilient to future flooding events.
“We want to thank all of the funding bodies that contributed to this major project to ensure this necessary upgrade has as minimum impact on the ratepayer as possible.”
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said the project’s success illustrated council’s commitment to expanding the community.
“I congratulate the Renmark Paringa Council particularly, they are progressive and what we’re seeing is a world-class piece of infrastructure,” Mr Whetstone said.
“For my way of thinking, this is still the best riverfront in the Murray-Darling Basin, and the upgrade affirms that.
“It’s welcoming, and that’s what we need. Tourism is one of the growth sectors in the Riverland.”
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said ensuring growth for Riverland tourism was a priority.
“It’s building back better, is what it’s all about,” Ms Bettison said.
“I can see it from a tourism point of view, but at the heart of it this is about community, and the community connecting to the river.
“Given the trauma of what we went through, this is a really important day, and that next step in getting back to normal and embracing what is so beautiful about living here.
“We all want to know it’s open and available… we want to bring it back and remind people what a beautiful place this is at any time of year.”
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 27 November 2024.
