Are we losing our Floating restaurants in Lakes Entrance - why?

The rumour file is ripe around town that Lakes Entrance may well lose one if not two of our iconic floating restaurants. Tragic if true, and from a personal standpoint I will lose my Saturday morning haunt which I have been using for many years, and where one could always be assured of a good meal be it lunch or dinner.  Why, we may well ask.

My information from a number of sources, is that that both the Ferryman's Seafood Cafe and Floating Dragon (Chinese) are in danger of having to close due to sand silting under their respective vessels to a dangerous level. This obviously begs a number of questions....

• Why has the sand been allowed to gain this foothold?
• Why has it not been dealt with at an early stage and not left until the last moment?
• Who is responsible for removal and management of the sand?

The apparent and possible loss of let alone one but possibly both of these restaurants will be a huge loss to this town, and indeed has already had a detrimental effect on trade at the 'West End."

There is so much talk, rumour and inuendo around town, that I have gone to print in an effort to bring this matter out into the open. The truth should be told, the public deserve to know what is going on and the businesses themselves need to make it clear what are their individual future plans regarding reopening and/or continuing to operate.

• Is it a fact that the sand issue has prevented alterations to one of the businesses? 
• If so, is the removal of this sand the responsibility of Gippsland Ports. other Authority or the operator.
• If it is Gippsland Ports or any other Authority, then they should be held to account for lack of action and pressure brought to bear to effect a swift and effective solution before the start of the main tourist season, only a matter of weeks away.

If one or other or both of the businesses is to close, and I sincerely hope neither will, then at least the public should be told. This ongoing and now long-standing (six months) of not knowing is doing the town no good, its is having a negative effect on tourism and visitation, and I for one am seeing many turn away, return to their vehicles and drive out of town.

Last and by no means least, I miss the ability to have a choice of dependable good quality food from local businesses.