Mannum residents packing up and getting out as government announces emergency funding, new relief centres

Former river boat captain Ray Weedon is among hundreds of Murray residents set to be left without accommodation when surging flood waters engulf his home and business next week.

Local long time resident Ray Weedon poses for a photograph on his property by the river in Mannum. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Mannum residents are fleeing their homes while business owners are shutting up shop as the state’s flooding crisis continues.

Premier Peter Malinauskas visited the Murraylands town of Mannum on Monday, announcing the establishment of emergency relief centres for those hit hardest by the rising waters.

It was also announced Riverland and Murraylands residents would be able to access emergency funding from Tuesday, November 29.

Long time resident Ray Weedon is busy packing up ready to leave his Mannum property, with no idea when he will be able to return. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“In Mannum, we are going to see in full view much of the tragedy associated with this flooding event,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“It’s unfortunate not every home and business can be protected, but we’re going to do what we can with the time that we’ve got.”

Mannum Anchorage owner Ray Weedon – whose business and home is set to be completely inundated by flood waters – said he was exploring his eligibility for relief packages and the support centres would help those in his position.

The former riverboat captain said he had spent his whole working life on the river before purchasing his houseboat and cruiser brokerage business Mannum Anchorage in 2018 and operating it out of a shopfront at his riverfront Randell Street home of 40 years.

Mr Weedon said his income had “dropped dead” last week with no boating activity on the river and he was under the pump to move what he could out of his property before he is unable to access his property later this week.

He said he was running out of time to move everything out of his home and conceded things would be left behind in what he predicts will be up to 1.5 metres of water throughout his home during the flood peak.

And, he still has the task of finding a new home for what he believes could be as long as six to 12 months.

“I have flood insurance and I am told I’m going to get emergency accommodation, however the real estate agents in town say there is nothing for rent, the town’s accommodation is full,” he said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, Deputy Premier Susan Close, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and Chris Beattie from the SES during media conference in Mannum.

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook told The Advertiser it was estimated the need for emergency accommodation “may be in the hundreds”.

“Ongoing work by the SES and Red Cross involves contacting those who may be affected by the floods – including encouraging people to plan ahead and make alternate plans wherever possible,” she said.

“The SA Housing Authority is establishing Emergency Relief Centres where the public can access information and apply for various forms of support, including financial relief and emergency accommodation.”

The new dedicated relief centres will help residents access accommodation assistance, financial help, Foodbank, community service organisations and the Red Cross ahead of December’s major flooding event.

The first centre will open from Tuesday, November 29, at the Berri Senior Citizens Club with a centre set to open in Mannum next week and a third to soon open in Murray Bridge.

Business owners in flood-affected areas are now eligible to access early closure grants of up to $20,000 and generator purchase grants of up to $4000.

Other grants, including one-off personal hardship grants of up to $400 for individuals and $1000 for families are also now available.

Premier Peter Malinauskas, Deputy Premier Susan Close, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan and Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs during media conference in Mannum. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

While the Premier spoke to some of the worst impacted on Monday, police hit out at sandbag hoarders.

As floodwaters rise, Murray Mallee Superintendent Scott Denny has urged residents not to hoard sandbag supplies after several tonnes of sand was taken from a Mannum filling station using heavy machinery.

Supt Denny said the act was “inappropriate” and could leave others in desperate need.

“Please use common sense and over the coming weeks we certainly will be patrolling those areas to ensure people are sharing responsibly and not helping themselves to things that aren't usually there,” he told the ABC.

Police are still hunting for callous crooks who nabbed a sandbag filler from the same Mannum station a week earlier.

Last week, Mr Malinauskas revealed new modelling predicted a second flood peak of at least 185GL would hit River Murray communities at Christmas time, with a moderate chance of 200GL flows and an outside chance of the river hitting 220GL.