GLENELG River shack proponents remain buoyant a solution will be brokered to save the iconic structures that have lined the waterway for more than 70 years.
This follows the State Government flipping the former unpopular Labor policy of forced shack demolitions along the picturesque river.
While the government has now committed to renewed tenure for shack owners, it has yet to formalise a new policy framework.
Grant District Council this week vowed to continue advocating for a speedy resolution to the ongoing impasse that has plagued shack owners for decades.
The Department of Environment and Water has been working on a solution for the Glenelg River shacks, along with other shack settlements in the state.
Council chief executive officer David Singe said yesterday described the issue as “long standing” for shack owners and council.
Revealing the relationship with the department was positive, he said council was keen to see the formation of the policy and guidelines.
Explaining the Glenelg River Shack Association addressed the council this week, he said council remained supportive of the need to retain the riverside structures.
And in a sign of ongoing support, Mr Singe said council resolved it supported in principle the public toilets were sufficient to cover the current requirements of the shacks.
“This is subject to the proposed policy and guidelines being prepared by the Department for Environment and Water,” Mr Singe said.
Shacks association president Brett Orr said the body was working through a number of issues to address the government’s draft policy framework, including safety improvements, aesthetics, development plans, public access to water and natural hazards.
He said waste management remained one of the biggest issues facing shack owners.
“Shack owners take our environmental responsibilities very seriously,” Mr Orr said.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said Environment Minister David Speirs was committed to the process, which was Liberal Party policy.
But Mr Bell said the minister had expressed the fact it was a complicated matter and he was “working his way through it”.
He said these complexities include wastewater and the need to ensure environmental protection.
“Shack owners will have to meet those environmental standards,” Mr Bell said.
Daryl Selvidge – who regularly uses a shack at Donovans – said he was also hoping of a positive outcome given the Liberal Government’s policy commitment.
Explaining a number of shacks were ripped down during the former Labor Government’s term in office, he said shack owners were now beginning to refurbish their riverside structures.
“The council has been great,” Mr Houlihan said.
“We need to make sure these shacks are kept for as long as possible.”
