Anyone for Hughenden Royal Yacht Club?
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The suggestion made by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack at the opening of the Hughenden Recreation Lake on Friday drew laughter from those present but Mr McCormack said he was serious.
"Well may you laugh but I'd like to see the first meeting of that held next week," Mr McCormack said.
"Just because you've got a lake doesn't mean you just have to swim in it, fish in it or ski on it, the possibilities are boundless.
"Think of the novelty aspects, think of the people who will come to take part in meetings of the Royal Yacht Club here and indeed think of the people who will come if you have events."
Yachts or not, Flinders Shire Mayor Jane McNamara said it was a momentous day for the town and the shire for a lake that grew in complexity after three attempts at approval and years of discussion, design and construction.
"This is a substantial amenity for local people - 21.9 hectares of lake to a depth of 3.2 metres, parkland, a playground, 2.9km of walking and bike track, a boatramp and pontoon, swimming and water-skiing, a fishing jetty, two barbecues and picnic facilities," Cr McNamara said.
"The Lake also complements tourism assets for the newly developed recreational vehicle camping area adjacent to the Hughenden Showgrounds."
Cr McNamara said it would be a centre of health and celebration for the Shire.
"This will be a hub of community life and will be the focal point for family events, weddings, celebrations and areas for quiet time of contemplation," she said.
The Lake cost $11.27 million with $5 million from the federal government (Build Better Regions Fund and drought funding) and council stumped up the remainder.
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