Federal disaster income support extended to flood-affected Riverland residents

The first of two floodwater peaks is now expected later than predicted, but the premier has warned “more time does not mean lesser flows”. Meanwhile door knocks are under way.

• More ferry, travel routes close

The first of two Riverland floodwater peaks is expected two weeks later than predicted, with 175GL/day to 180GL/day expected to arrive at Renmark on December 14.

Mr Malinauskas said the first peak was likely to then hit Waikerie on December 23 and Mannum on December 27.

The movement of the second peak has also slowed, now expected to cross the SA border between Christmas eve and December 31.

But the premier warned against complacency, saying more time did not mean lesser flows.

Modelling shows a high probability of waters hitting at least 185GL/day, with a moderate probability of 200GL/day and lower probability of 220GL/day. Flood-affected Riverland residents will be able to access extra financial support as the federal government announces additional disaster relief.

“It is important that people along the river acknowledge the fact that while the peak might be further away ... the amount of water that is now crossing the border today is the highest it’s been since 1974,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“We are now starting to see over 140GL crossing the border and we anticipate that the peak of 175GL/day will arrive in Renmark around December 14 ... but the pace of our rollout will be maintained.”

Watch Premier Peter Malinauskas, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and emergency services give a live update on the flood disaster.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said a total of 2 million sandbags had now been secured for flood-threatened communities and additional supplies would be arriving in coming days.

Ferry services at Lyrup are expected to remain closed while flood conditions remain above 120GL/day, with alternate river crossings at Paringa Bridge and Berri bridge.

Other ferry services are operating as normal, though the Morgan ferry is expected to close next week as water continues to rise.

Bookpurnong Rd remains closed and all vehicles are required to detour via Stanitski Rd to Sturt Hwy through Paringa and Renmark onto Old Sturt Hwy.

Police have door knocked 675 premises in the River Murray region since Tuesday, kicking off a “Herculean” effort to notify at-risk residents of their evacuation options.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said 461 of those properties were occupied at the time of the visit, while 42 families indicated that they required emergency accommodation assistance and 277 said they planned to stay as floodwaters rose.

An additional 114 already had a plan in place to leave their homes.

More than 130 SES, SA Police, MFS and PIRSA officers have been deployed to door knock properties, with a goal of attending 3500 premises before floodwaters hit.

“As our people on the ground are visiting identified premises, the people on the ground are attending adjacent premises to see if they’re in the same situation,” Comm Stevens said.

“The task is bigger than we expected, but we’re confident that we’ll be able to get through those.”

Comm Stevens said the additional time bought by the delayed peak would not impact the pace of efforts, with the number of homes to attend tripled by updated modelling.

“We want as much time as possible to take steps to provide assistance to those families that may need it, so we’re certainly not going to slow down their efforts or withdraw resources,” he said.

Police aircraft will be deployed to identify houseboats which may require assistance, which will then be contacted by SA Police and SES water operations.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan during a visit to Mannum ahead of predicted floods. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Federal disaster recovery payments have been extended to nine LGAs across the River Murray region, providing income support for those unable to work as a result of rising waters.

Residents earning under $1737.10 per week can claim the maximum equivalent rate of Jobseeker or Youth Allowance for up to 13 weeks.

To be eligible, residents must be 16 or older at the time of the floods, be an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa, work or live in an affected LGA and have lost income as a direct result of the floods.

Those aged between 16 and 21 must be considered independent to claim the allowance.

The nine eligible LGAs are Alexandrina, Berri Barmera, Coorong, Karoonda East Murray, Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray, Murray Bridge, Renmark Paringa and the Unincorporated Area of South Australia.

Residents can also access state government disaster relief, with a dedicated relief centre now open to help residents access accommodation assistance, financial help, Foodbank, community service organisations and Red Cross services.

The centre is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week at the Berri Senior Citizens Club on Crawford Tce.

Amazing pictures: More than 60 incredible drone shots of the River Murray floods

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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.

The financial assistance forms part of the state government’s pledged $51.6m disaster relief package, which has also promised tourism industry support once floodwaters recede.

New data released on Tuesday shows more than 1000 primary residences could go under when the first and second water peaks hit during December.

According to updated modelling, 1086 residences would be impacted if waters hit a peak of 250GL/day and 455 residences if flows hit 200GL/day.

A total of between 3500 and 4000 homes and businesses in total are expected to be inundated when flood waters hit.

In a major operation co-ordinated by the Comm Stevens, 455 residents will be contacted ahead of next week’s first peak and informed of their planning and evacuation options.