New Rowing Pontoon for Dimboola Rowing Club

Published on 04 October 2019

The Dimboola Rowing Club proudly showcased their new rowing launch pontoon with an official opening on Wednesday 2 October 2019 by Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor Cr Ron Ismay.

Speaking at the launch, Cr Ismay congratulated the club on their efforts to secure a new pontoon ahead of their 2019 Regatta in early November, which will be their 132nd event.

In addition to the improved access for rowers, Cr Ismay also added that ‘the pontoon will be a great community asset and benefit users such as the Dimboola Boat and Ski Club for special events, the Dragon Boat Club, anglers and of course swimmers’.

Cr Ismay also said that being located a short distance from existing fishing and boating pontoons it was ‘another great addition to the Dimboola Recreation Reserve providing locals and visitors to the Riverside Holiday Park with an abundance of opportunities for an on the water experience.’

The new pontoon, which measures approximately 40m in length and accessed by two ramps provides rowers with easier and more importantly safer access to the water, significantly reducing the risk of participants slipping or falling as they enter the water with their rowing shells.

With the hinged ramps securing the pontoon to concrete abutments on the riverbank, the height of the pontoon adjusts with the river level, meaning access to the river for rowers is possible in all but the driest scenarios.

The pontoon project was undertaken with funding from Wimmera Catchment Management Authority through the State Governments Boosting Recreation Water Use Initiatives program as well as financial and project management support from Council.

Complimenting this, the Dimboola Rowing Club made a significant financial contribution towards the project, along with the extensive in-kind support of its members who took responsibility for the removal of the previous out dated ramp ahead of the new pontoon’s installation.

Dimboola Rowing Club President Mick Salter thanked both the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Council for their support for this project, which helped to make a long held club goal a reality. He also thanked the rowing club’s members for their tireless efforts and explained that the installation of the new pontoon was timely, with rowing authorities having previously advised the club that the existing timber ramp urgently required upgrading if they wished to continue to host their historic annual regatta.

The new pontoon is located on the Wimmera River in front of the Dimboola Rowing Club at the Dimboola Recreation Reserve.

Greg Wood
Chief Executive Officer