Lower Murray farmers desperate for government support after ‘summer from hell’

Lower Murray farmers are calling for government support as they continue to battle the impacts of the devastating floods.

Daniel Martin, of Wall Flat, with Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick during, an inspection of his farm. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Farmers in the Lower Murray say they are in desperate need of government support to get back up and running, following a “summer of hell”.

A band of Lower Murray irrigators impacted by last summer’s River Murray flooding met with Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick on Friday to express fears of more pain this summer as the effects linger.

Farmers said they were left to foot the bill for work they shouldn’t have to do, after breaches in the government-owned levee bank left their farms in ruins.

Wall Flat farmer Daniel Martin said the removal of silt from their farms should be a government expense, claiming “government infrastructure was impeding their private infrastructure.”

“When the government owned levee failed, the misplaced sediment material washed into our channels and paddocks and settled there,” he said.

Daniel Martin, of Wall Flat, with Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick during, an inspection of his farm. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

“We have – at our own cost – had to move some sediment to enable basic irrigation, however a significant amount of work is still required to clear our channels and is likely to cost thousands of dollars.

“We do not believe this cost should be borne by us, however we have been informed that desilting is not considered part of the rehabilitation of the levee and so funding is not being provided at this time.”

Fellow farmers also had concerns about costs associated with pumping water off, support to get them through a time of no production and the access to mental health resources.

Alex Westlake, a next-generation farmer at Murray Bridge, had been building a sheep farming operation before the flood water caused chaos.

She felt the government didn’t understand the value of the Lower Murray region.

“We are asking the government to find some money … to invest in our region, and if they don’t understand what they are investing in, find out,” she said.

“We are an incredible region full of diverse agricultural, horticultural enterprises … we are worthy of investment.”

Alex Westlake, of Murray Bridge, shares her concerns at a meeting of Lower Murray irrigators. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Alex and Mark Westlake inspect their flooded farm earlier this year. Photo: Dylan Hogarth.

Mr Pederick said many farmers in the region were worried they would not be able to irrigate during the summer months.

He said the lack of work that has been done and limited government funding still impacted farmers 10 months after the levees failed.

“I am mindful that the livelihoods of many River Murray farmers were dealt a blow last summer and I do not want to see that repeated this summer as a result of the government‘s failure to act.“

“These are the issues that should have been addressed well before now, and quite frankly, it is a disgrace that farmers are finding themselves in this position nine months on from the River Murray flood.”

A state government spokesman said government agencies had worked closely with Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area landholders.

“To date, more than $4.3 million worth of emergency response and recovery works have been performed on LMRIA levees that protect agricultural areas and other assets,” the spokesman said.

“All levee works since the flood have been undertaken on a priority basis according to risks identified, access to damaged sections of the levees and availability of resources and materials.”

The spokesman said stabilisation work enabled dewatering on affected privately-owned levees and government levees throughout the region.

“Subsequent reinforcement works were also undertaken on seven government levees and eight privately owned levees, including six that overtopped during strong winds on September 7 and 8,” he said.

“In regards to Wall Flat, it was one of the first irrigation areas to be dewatered and to have pastures restored because there was no breach in the levee.

“Dewatering is now complete in 18 of the 20 impacted areas with work around Wellington continuing.

The spokesman said support for producers affected by the floods remained available, including grants and financial assistance, technical assistance and mental health and wellbeing support.