Cash handouts for those living on Murray as section of Mannum’s main street closes

The government has announced one-off payments for those living on the River Murray, as peak waters begin to travel downstream from Mannum. See who’s eligible.

South Australians impacted by the floods crisis could be eligible for a $300 cash boost under a new relief announcement.

Premier Peter Malinaskas said the Tailem Bend ferry was expected to close in coming days as peak floodwaters travel further downstream from Mannum.

Mr Malinauskas said the $300 support package would be available for low-income earners and pensioners impacted by the closure.

“The ferry closure means far greater travel and far more additional costs on petrol,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“This will help people absorb that cost of additional travel when ferries close.”

The grants can be accessed via the flood relief centres at Berri, Mannum and Murray Bridge, with more information available through the flood hotline on 1800 302 787 or online.

To be eligible, residents of the nine flood-affected LGAs need to demonstrate that ferry and road closures as a result of floodwaters would add an additional 30 minutes to their travel time, three times per week.

However, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the time restriction would not be a “hard and fast rule” and flexibility would be offered when determining eligibility.

Residents must also be receiving a state government concession and/or a form of Centrelink payment, such as a pension, JobSeeker or Department of Veterans Affairs payments.

The nine local government areas eligible for funding are Alexandrina, Berri Barmera, Coorong, Karoonda East Murray, Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray, Murray Bridge, Pastoral Unincorporated Area and Renmark Paringa.

Mr Mullighan said the $300 cash boost could cost the government between $1m-$3m, but said it was an “important commitment” from the state government to ensure river communities can function through the disaster.

The state government has paid out more than $1m in 62 early business closure grants from more than 150 applications - with 40 still being assessed or waiting further documentation.

Mr Mullighan said there had been “a handful” of applications for business support and recovery grants so far, but that number was expected to rise in coming weeks and months.

Flood peak hits Mannum

The announcement comes after the Mannum main street was closed on the weekend, due to flooding from a stormwater pipe backfilling with water from the River Murray on the dry side of the town’s main levee.

A section of Randell St was closed on Saturday as the South Australian State Emergency Service, Mid Murray Council and SA Water looked into the issue.

The SES advised that no properties were evacuated and the section of the main street would be reopened once the remedial works had been successfully completed.

The peak of the flood has now reached Mannum and the State Emergency Service said it will reach Murray Bridge, Jervois, Wellington and then enter the Lower Lakes over the coming days.

Levee on the main street in Mannum on December 15, 2022. Picture: Tom Huntley

“Mannum is currently experiencing peak river flows which remain within forecast parameters and can be adequately managed by the heights of the Mannum levee,” the SES said in a statement.

Mell Melek shared a post in the ‘Murray River in Flood’ Facebook page asking for an update on the incident on Randell St on Saturday.

“A lot of water was coming up out of the storm water drain in between Mannum Hardware and the Mannum Hotel,” Nathan Ward replied in a comment.

“They’ve closed the end of the street to pedestrians now. Sewerage pumper tanks have been brought in. SES and police present, apparently the bitumen road is cracking as well. Just outside the lower hotel,” Anna Jacks wrote.

Levee behind the Pretoria Hotel in Mannum on December 15, 2022. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ms Jacks also wrote that there was no access to the street now passed the Pretoria Hotel, and the “whole town smells like (pile of poo emoji).

The Mannum Hotel posted on their Facebook page on Saturday that they had to close the pub due to the Randell St road closure to cars and pedestrians.

On Sunday they posted that they were open from 2.00pm to foot traffic only.

Mannum Hardware has been closed since January 4th due to the street closure and having no power. They are posting daily to their Facebook page of their opening hours.