Spirits high and dry at Murray Bridge despite flood adversity
Staff and management at a new restaurant on the River Murray are remaining positive despite closing the doors due to the state’s escalating flood crisis.
Adelaide Hills & Murraylands
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A new restaurant offering a dining experience taking in the beauty of the River Murray has closed its doors just months after it opened in a cruel twist of fate for the new management team.
Located at the newly redeveloped Murray Bridge Rowing Club, the 1924 Riverside Steakhouse shut its doors on Sunday night, December 11, and staff had a final farewell on Monday as peak flows approach.
Staff were on deck to complete a final clean up but also soak in some festive season fun as the crew got together to empty the restaurant.
Despite the sadness of closing up and missing out on summer trading, 1924 Riverfront Steakhouse manager Damien O’Riley said the mood was positive as staff gathered and had what he called a ‘closing up Christmas party’.
“We had a good farewell for all of our staff ... we’ve spent the day cleaning everything up, throwing everything out and had a few drinks and a roast pork,” Mr O’Riley said.
“We’re buoyant, we’re happy and we are ready to go for next year ... we’ve got to deal with mother nature and that’s it, what happens, happens.”
Defence cell technology of sand filled blocks has been constructed to form a levee on the banks at Sturt Reserve to protect the 1924 Riverside Steakhouse, the Murray Bridge Community Club and Murray Bridge Regional Rowing Centre so it is not expected the structures will experience water inundation.
However, power and sewage services are being shut off within the next week leading to 1924 Riverside Steakhouse’s closure and Mr O’Riley said he did not expect to back open until February.
The power supply has also been cut to Murray Bridge council land within the expected flood zone, and infrastructure, such as barbecues and irrigation pumps, has been temporarily relocated.
The latest in a series of SES River Murray flood community meetings will be held on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:30pm at the Murray Bridge Town Hall at 13-17 Bridge Street.
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