Renmark caravan park forced to close lashes out at SES

A Riverland caravan park has lashed out at the SES over a “sensationalised” evacuation – as new photos reveal how close floodwaters are to its levee.

A Riverland caravan park forced to close has lashed out at the SES, calling the handling of its evacuation disappointing and saying the emergency body “sensationalised a sense of urgency that wasn’t necessary”.

The Riverbend Caravan Park in Renmark was closed on Tuesday night as the SES determined flood waters were a potential threat to occupants of the park.

SES chief executive Chris Beattie said issues with the levee protecting the park from the rising waters were identified, including fractures, water penetration and groundwater seepage.

However, Edwards Group chief executive officer – owner of the Riverbend Caravan Park – Mr Stephen Edwards said occupants were never in harm’s way and defended the park’s private levee.

Water nears the top of the privately-built levee at Riverbend Caravan Park in Renmark. Picture: Dean Martin

Riverbend Caravan Park was closed by the SES on Tuesday. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

The Riverbend Caravan Park was evacuated as a precaution. There was a concern that their privately built levee may have been breached. 7 December 2022. Picture Dean Martin

The River Murray is becoming increasingly swollen in the Riverland. Picture Dean Martin

The Murray, between Renmark and Paringa, looking towards the Riverbend Caravan Park. Picture Dean Martin

“The levee did not breach nor was the park inundated with water, and there was no immediate danger to anyone, including guests and staff,” Mr Edwards said.

He said while the SES had officially closed the park, it was still a safe place with a team of staff remaining onsite to monitor the levee.

“The way (the SES) handled the evacuation and public announcements was disappointing as it sensationalised a sense of urgency that wasn’t necessary,” Mr Edwards said.

“It is important we work together with SES, other relevant authorities and industry bodies to develop a best practice response that prioritises safety but also mitigates damaging fallout and reputational damage to our region.”

The entry to the Riverbend Caravan Park, which was evacuated earlier this week. Picture Dean Martin

The well-trodden footpath along the river front near the Renmark Club is now under water. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Edwards said he travelled to the park on Wednesday to meet with SES authorities.

“We have been consistently working with the SES and authorities on the engineering of our levees to ensure the continued safety of our guests, and support the measures in place to prepare for the higher rivers coming our way,” he said.

Mr Beattie defended the SES’s swift action.

“SES agrees with the Riverbend Caravan Park owner that its decision to evacuate the park was precautionary in nature and was based on engineering assessments that found defects throughout the levee,” he said.

Gallery: Dramatic flood photos as threat rises

VIEW GALLERY

“This posed an unacceptable community safety risk for life loss and serious injury should a rapid onset failure occur.

“Once the risk had been identified SES took immediate action and worked closely with the park operator to ensure all customers and residents were notified in person, where possible, and found alternative accommodation where required.”

He said the SES would continue to work closely with owners of large levees and provide support for levee owners to implement “appropriate monitoring, inspection and escalation regimes”.