Flood update: Murray Valley encephalitis found in SA, while restrictions ease for northern River Murray zones as waters recede

Boaties have been granted permission to return to the upper reaches of the River Murray amid warnings a dangerous strain of encephalitis has been detected in mosquitoes.

Boaties have been granted permission to return to the upper reaches of the River Murray amid warnings a dangerous strain of encephalitis has been detected in mosquitoes.

On Wednesday afternoon, Premier Peter Malinauskas announced an easing of boating restrictions in three northern River Murray zones.

Recreational motorised boating will be allowed in Zones A, B and C, which extend from the border to the upriver side of Lock 3 at Barmera – but not including Lake Bonney.

Swimming, diving and kayaking remain banned.

A ban on recreational fishing in those areas will also be lifted, to allow for fishing from boats – but commercial fishing remains off-limits.

Flood damage at Swan Reach, SA. Picture: Supplied/Joel Eglinton

Motorised vessels must not exceed 10 knots, or four knots if travelling between sunrise and sunset, or within 250m of a submerged building.

Towing of skiers also remains banned and houseboats cannot be operated without a permitted purpose.

Mr Malinauskas said Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, the state’s emergency co-ordinator, made the call on Wednesday that the river was in an “appropriate place” to ease restrictions.

“Now that we have seen those flows come down to a far lower level, we can start to ease those restrictions in a thoughtful and methodical way,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“People can now go out into the water in their dinghy, throw a line in and do some yabbying – just make sure you observe some rules when it comes to personal safety and people on the boat.”

The eased restrictions come into effect immediately.

The Premier said the decision to uphold a ban on kayaking was one of safety, with concerns over human-powered vessels being able to return upstream if they travel down the river.

On Tuesday, Emergency Minister Joe Szakacs said he understood river communities’ frustrations around the limits, but the safety risk remained too great to ease restrictions across the board.

“Yesterday the Premier chaired another meeting of the Emergency Management Committee, in which the police commissioner gave his advice that there still remains safety considerations that are fairly acute,” he said.

“We’re advised that water is flowing particularly fast at the moment and there is a very substantial amount of debris.”

“Not for one moment from the day these restrictions were imposed to the last restriction that is eased will I underestimate the frustration these are causing.

“I can absolutely see the frustration. But these restrictions were put in place by individual agencies responsible for the safety of our river.”

Driver escaped this car which became submerged in floodwaters at Younghusband in the Mid-Murray. Picture: 7NEWS

Driver escaped this car which became submerged in floodwaters at Younghusband in the Mid-Murray. Picture: 7NEWS

Liberal Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone called for the easing of restrictions for river communities as flows reduce to 135GL/day, down from 190GL/day.

The announcement comes after the state’s emergency declaration was extended on Monday for another 45 days, with Police Commissioner Grant Stevens to remain at the helm as state co-ordinator until early March.

The decision makes it the second-longest declaration in the state’s history – but it still falls far short of the 793 day declaration during Covid.

The emergency declaration centralises decision-making during disaster events and allows additional powers for a range of authorities.

The changes come on the same day a driver had a lucky escape when his car became submerged in floodwaters at Younghusband.

A swift water rescue crew were winched down from a helicopter to check if anyone was trapped in the floating vehicle.

However, the driver had managed to escape moments before crews arrived.

Crews were quick to respond which aided in locating the driver and recovering the vehicle.

SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said it was a timely reminder to never drive, ride or walk-through floodwaters.

“We may be seeing flood waters receding slowly, but we are still amid an emergency flood event which poses many risks to our communities,” he said.

“We had an excellent result today. Everyone was safe and that is the best outcome for all.

As part of the rescue operation, SES deployed a swift water rescue team of four, along with a QLD Fire and rescue swift water team and vessel, a rescue helicopter and two NSW high-clearance Unimog vehicles.

Map showing the River Murray’s eight zones for restrictions.

On Wednesday, the Department for Health and Wellbeing issued a statement warning the Murray Valley encephalitis virus had been detected in mosquitoes.

The virus has been found in mosquitoes caught in monitoring traps in Berri Barmera, Mid Murray, Renmark-Paringa, Loxton-Waikerie, and Murray Bridge councils.

“There have been no cases reported in humans this season but these findings, confirming that local mosquitoes carry this virus, means there is a very real risk for human disease,” the statement said.

The last human case of MVEV reported in South Australia was in 2011.

Other mosquito-borne viruses being closely monitored by SA Health are Japanese encephalitis virus, West Nile virus (Kunjinvariant), Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus.

There is no cure for MVEV and the disease is occasionally fatal.

River Murray residents have been warned of Murray Valley encephalitis.