Hindmarsh Shire Council approved the 10-metre by 3.3-metre pontoon at a meeting on Wednesday.

The pontoon will be at the Dimboola Riverside Caravan Park and include a submerged platform to enable people to launch kayaks and canoes.

Hindmarsh mayor Debra Nelson said the pontoon was funded after council received a grant to improve recreational waterways in the shire.

She said the new pontoon would benefit the region and improve access to the river.

“It will be fantastic and really enhance that area at the caravan park,” she said.

“People with kayaks will be able to launch from there and row along the Wimmera River.

“It’s also another area for people to fish.”

The boating pontoon will adjoin existing recreational areas at the river.

Cr Nelson said the caravan park was attracting more tourists to the region.

“You often see campers who have kayaks on the roof of their cars staying at the caravan park,” she said.

Cr Nelson said small improvements to the river would make a big difference in the long run.

Council has been upgrading the Dimboola Riverside Holiday Park for the past few years. 

The refurbishment has included new cabins and a camp kitchen.

“The caravan park was just about full over Easter,” Cr Nelson said.

“The new camp kitchen was very well received.

“It just shows what a little bit can do – it’s those added extras that help attract people to the region.

“Then word of mouth gets around and people come here to stay.”

Council approved a planning permit for the pontoon on Wednesday.

The permit states that soil erosion and contamination from the site must be minimised to ensure the water quality is maintained.