‘Matter of life or death’: Riverland locals are becoming cut-off, losing money as floodwaters rise
The rising Murray is forcing Riverland locals to drive hours out of their way for the doctor, while others watch as their business empties. But they’re holding on.
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The full weight of the impact the rising River Murray and ensuing flood waters will have on communities along the waters’ edge is still yet to be realised – but as the level creeps up inch by inch, the challenges for some have already begun.
As authorities change their projections and adapt accordingly, people in smaller communities are being left to prepare for the uncertainty on their own.
The action happening in major towns such as Renmark is a far cry from the undertaking in more modest towns downstream.
They are not forgotten, but some also aren’t being prioritised.
Take Moorook, for example.
While the flood waters have been threatening to inundate the Kingston-Moorook road, the Transport and Infrastructure Department has confirmed that it is likely to occur this week. Signage has been installed to advise motorists of a detour route.
Satish Tati bought the Moorook General Store just two years ago and now faces the prospect of little, to no, business. “That road could be protected with a levee but I haven’t heard anything from council or anyone,” he said.
“To hear they’re now going to close the road, it will severely affect my business.
“I do understand they are taking precautions and prioritising what is needed at the moment, but it’s going to be hard financially for us.”
As he entered his third summer period operating the business, it was normally the time to capitalise on tourist trade. But Mr Tati said that was non-existent this year.
“My main income during the year is the Christmas holidays where we’ll have solid business,” he said.
“People usually come and stay here for weeks, but I’ve completely lost that business now because the camping site across the road closed about 10 days ago,” he said.
Commuting traffic from Loxton to Berri was the only thing keeping him afloat, after the bridge connecting the two towns closed about a week ago.
“They are being diverted through Moorook and people are stopping off for a pie, pasty or a drink,” he said.
“But in a week or so when that water covers the low points of the road, I’ll have to rely solely on town people, who support us very well, but it’s obviously limited trade.”
The impact of these road closures extend far and wide, particularly to those living in Loxton, who are being forced to drive an extra 70km on their round trip to seek services in Berri.
The financial stress this had placed on 76-year-old resident Doreen Miller was unimaginable. She commutes to Berri three times a week so her son can receive lifesaving dialysis treatment.
“We’re paying double the amount for petrol to take our son, so we’re struggling a bit, but we don’t have a choice – it’s a matter of life or death,” she said.
“We’re still paying off our house and we’re in a situation we’ve never had any super in our lives.”
Ms Miller said they had tried to prepare the best they could, but are still seeking assistance.
“We knew it was coming, so we’ve tried to go without things,” she said.
“I usually go to the pool to help with my arthritis, but I’ve decided to go without it this year to save money to get my son where he needs to go.”
Ms Miller said she had contacted NDIS and Berri Relief Centre but, at this stage, it was all in vain.
“NDIS say my son isn’t sick enough,” she said. “Well, he’s been sick for 16 years – so how sick does he need to be?”
“We just need a small amount of money, just for fuel. It’s for nothing else.”
Among the stories of desperation, there are others of hope.
In the small town of Cobdogla, a mountain of work is being undertaken to build 7km of flood levees to protect a community that would be completely flooded without them.
Berri Barmera Council levee supervisor Owen Couch said about 36 trucks had been working on the project for the past four weeks.
“We’re building it just below 1956 flood levels and it’s not just about this community, we’ve got effluent stations nearby and if we don’t protect that, you might as well evacuate the town now,” Mr Couch said.
“We’ve got people up here monitoring what soils we are using and compaction testing it, so we’re doing it to a strict standard.
“There’s always the unknown, but there’s no possible way that this should fail.”
At Cobdogla Station Caravan Park, permanent resident Ric Wenske said he was thankful that he would be able to stay put.
“Without all this hard work being put into it, we’d probably be looking at being homeless for a period of time,” Mr Wenske said.
“It’s a well-engineered bank, so we’re more than confident that it’s going to hold.”
Mr Wenske prided himself on being a “Riverland local” and he said travellers who wanted to take a look at the River Murray in all its glory should choose “Cobby” as the place to base themselves.
“The caravan park is still open and they are the ones that are really hurting without the tourists coming up here,” he said. “Stop listening to all the negative stuff you’re hearing and come out and witness something that a lot of people may never witness again.”
On the (ex walking) trail of discovery amid flood waters
Traversing through the trees that once sheltered a popular walking trail along the River Murray, there is just the sound of birds chirping and paddles hitting the water.
It’s a canoeing adventure that provides an escape from the doom and gloom of floodwaters encroaching on townships and shacks on the riverside.
A spectacular way to see the “Mighty Murray” in all of its beauty.
The Lion Allan Thurmer Recreational Trail is a 3.4km loop that connects Berri and Martin’s Bend Reserve, usually a popular circuit for joggers and walkers alike. But the high flows of the River Murray have recently seen it engulfed by floodwaters.
Canoe Adventures’ Kym Werner was capitalising on the rare opportunity to complete the trail without his feet touching the ground.
“This trail in particular is magnificent – we only came down here for the first time recently,” he said. “I really enjoy paddling amongst the red gums and the black boxes. I’m starting to introduce it to more people because it’s the best part of the high river.”
We passed through Martin’s Bend Reserve – an area that would normally be buzzing with campers at this time of year.
A 20km/h road sign was about a metre from being fully submerged. The gate entry to the campsite was completely underwater, barely visible as we passed over it. “How often can you say you paddled up to a picnic area with just the concrete table poking its head out of the surrounding waters?” he said.
It was hard to comprehend that a place that used to serve as the banks of the river was now a temporary playground for kayakers and canoers – with water as far as you could see in all directions.
But as we swept through the calm waters on the flood plains alongside Mr Werner, his phone rang. Another cancellation.
After being totally blown away by the experience – my first question was “why?”
“It’s a combination of things, but I think ultimately people don’t realise that there is no flow where we plan to take them on our tours,” Mr Werner said.
“We’re quite happy to take calls from anyone as to where you can go. Just getting the right advice as to where you can go in either gentle flow or no flow will give you the opportunity to see some fantastic places.”
But he said cancellations were forcing him to re-evaluate his operations over summer. “Covid is a having a bit of an impact, as well,” he said. “We do have to weigh up whether we continue to operate or shut it down for a bit.”
That would be an almighty shame because there’s not enough superlatives to describe this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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