As the 2025–26 pontoon season draws to a close, the District Council of Yankalilla is celebrating a successful summer on the water at the Normanville Foreshore and has thanked local businesses that sponsored it.

The council says from family swims in the clear summer water and school holiday adventures to the lively buzz of Nippers on Saturday afternoons, the Normanville pontoon has once again become a gathering point on the foreshore. 

“The simple invitation on the new foreshore banner, ‘Meet me at the pontoon’ has captured the spirit of the season, with locals and visitors doing exactly that.

It says these experiences have been possible thanks to the support of local businesses that stepped forward to sponsor the pontoon for the 2025–26 season. 

“Following last year’s community-led fundraising effort to fix and return the pontoon to the water, Council worked with local businesses to secure $10,000 in sponsorship to cover the annual costs of installation, maintenance and removal.

“Council wants to shout from the rooftops to extend its sincere thanks to:

• Belgravia Leisure – $5,000

• Forktree Brewing Co – $2,000

• Aqua Blue – $2,000

• Chief Catering – $1,000

“Belgravia Leisure, management licence holder of the Normanville Jetty Holiday Park, committed $5,000 per year for the term of its management agreement, providing strong ongoing support for this valued community asset.”

Mayor Darryl Houston says the sponsorship model has helped secure the pontoon’s future while strengthening partnerships between the council and local businesses.

“This summer has been a wonderful reminder of how much the pontoon means to our community,” he says.

“We are incredibly grateful to Belgravia Leisure, Forktree Brewing Co, Aqua Blue and Chief Catering for backing this initiative. Their generosity and support has ensured families could once again gather, swim and enjoy our beautiful foreshore together.”

After installation in October, the pontoon was briefly removed to address a flotation issue.

Repairs and float upgrades were completed in November, and it returned to the water in December, just in time to coincide with the reopening of the Normanville Jetty.

Despite that early setback, the council says the season has been a resounding success, with strong community use throughout the warmer months.

Chief Executive Officer Nathan Cunningham says the summer highlighted the value of collaboration between Council, community and business.

“The pontoon is more than infrastructure, it is a meeting place, a landmark and part of the Normanville summer experience,” he says.

“We thank our sponsors for their support in helping make that possible.”

The pontoon will remain in place until April, weather permitting.