LATE last year, Sunraysia Daily broke the story that one of Mildura's top summer attractions, the AquaCoaster, was at risk of being pulled down, as insurance companies shied away from covering the 13-metre water slide.

Owner Steven Jones had inquired with firms as far away as Sydney, with one broker quoting $40,000 for annual cover -- a 500 per cent increase on the previous year's cost -- and others knocking him back altogether.

"They're trying to tell me there are less insurance companies in the leisure market now (for) anything that is classed as high-risk," Mr Jones said at the time.