Malinauskas reveals ‘good news’ on Renmark Murray flood peak
There are strong signs the worst may be passing for one Murray community, as the Premier reveals when river restriction rules may ease too.
SA News
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The Murray flood peak has reached Renmark, Premier Peter Malinauskas said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
“There is good news. The good news of course is that the peak has now occurred here in Renmark,” he said.
“We’ve had five consecutive days where the flows coming across the border have actually declined.”
Mr Malinauskas said overnight the flows at Renmark dropped for the first time “in a long time”.
“That’s a trend that we expect to continue over the coming days as the peak makes its way slowly but gradually down the river and that will present challenges for other communities, but relief for others.”
The Premier said there would be an emergency management cabinet council meeting on Thursday to discuss the timing by which the restrictions on water activity would be lifted as the peak flowed through.
Chief officer of the SES, Chris Beattie, said it was the fifth day in the row that river flows had seen a decline.
Flows were now estimated at 175G/L per day, below the 185.85G/L peak flow predicted on December 23.
“Overnight we saw a 30 millimetre drop in the river levels here at Renmark, which is a good sign, not definitive, but a good sign that the peak has indeed passed through Renmark and we’ll expect to see that flow through other Riverland communities over the coming week,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said new restrictions have been put in place on Wednesday, largely safety measures associated with low lying power infrastructure near Ral Ral Bridge.
There is a 1100 metre exclusion zone around the Ral Ral Bridge for all activities due to the main powerline from a substation, which powers Renmark, is presenting a material safety risk.
The river is also very close to the girders of the Paringa Bridge and is now insufficient clearance for vessels to go under the bridge.
Motorised vehicles are prohibited from operating within 50 metres of the bridge and any swimming, diving or bathing or human powered vessels within 250 metres.
“We’re working closely with our partners in the department of infrastructure and transport to consider those thresholds and opportunities to lift restrictions as the peak flows through.” Mr Beattie said.
Any person or vessel operator found in breach of any of the restrictions may be subject to a maximum court imposed fine of $10,000.
The State Emergency Service has issued an emergency flood warning for a River Murray community, telling residents to “evacuate now”.
Cowirra residents have been warned to leave now as flood waters threaten to isolate their homes.
The homes, opposite Mannum, are expected to become isolated with 24 hours due to deterioration and flooding of East Front Rd and Hunter Rd, Cowirra.
The SES told residents that if they do not evacuate, emergency services may not be able to assist them as the area will become too dangerous.
Residents have been told to leave their homes immediately if they are certain there is a clear path to safety.
If residents are unable to find alternative accommodation, an emergency relief centre is open at the Mannum Football Club on Belverdere Ave.
Multiple ferries and intersections will be closed.
The passenger ferry between Cowirra and Mannum and the associated bus service will continue to run until 2pm on Wednesday, December 28, but will then be closed until further notice.
The intersection of Burdett Rd and Hunter Rd at Mannum will be closed to traffic.
This closure includes Burdett Rd from the intersection to north of 2076 Burdett Rd, Cowirra and Hunter Rd form the intersection to just west of the East Front Rd and Hunter Rd intersection.
A detour route connecting Burdett Rd via Cross Rd and Burt Rd to the Hunter Rd east of the closed intersection has been installed.
Subsequently, the free Mannum passenger ferry service will stop today at 12.30pm and will recommence once water recedes and a risk assessment has been completed.
Ferry Rd, Wellington East will also be closed from 12pm today due to rising water levels.
As a result, the Wellington ferry will be closed with alternate river crossing available from the Tailem Bend ferry.
Ferry Rd and the Wellington ferry will remain available for emergency and service authority vehicles.
The Department of Infrastructure and Transport is continuing to closely monitor water levels to keep ferries operating for as long as it is safe to do so, however some services may need to be closed at short notice.
TUESDAY FLOOD UPDATE
Premier Peter Malinauskas says criminals caught looting from properties during the height of the flood emergency along the River Murray can expect to feel the full weight of the law.
Authorities have ramped up their patrols throughout the Riverland and Murraylands region to assist with the co-ordinated flood efforts and monitoring of properties.
It comes as residents in Blanchetown raised concerns on social media about the prospect of thieves in the area.
However, Mr Malinauskas said there had been no major reports of a “systematic looting effort”.
“SAPOL have beefed up their operations in particular areas that they have turned their minds to, around specific vulnerabilities. Thus far, there hasn’t been major reports that have been substantiated of a systematic looting effort,” he said.
“Looting is one of those crimes, so reprehensible, it sort of makes you angry, and we stand ready to do anything we can as a government, to ensure that people who partake in this type of activity feel the full consequences of their actions.”
The warning comes as the state government offered further financial support to businesses, farm enterprises and not-for-profit organisations in flood regions to help them continue to trade through the crisis.
Businesses with fewer than 30 employees will be able to apply for a $10,000 grant if they can demonstrate a 30 per cent downturn in revenue.
“While we’ve already provided support to dozens of businesses forced to close their doors, there are many more continuing to trade, keeping people in jobs,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“These grants will help those businesses, farm enterprises and not-for-profit organisations keep trading and continue supplying goods and services to their local communities.”
The State Emergency Service is confident the river has peaked at the Victorian border.
SASES chief executive Chris Beattie said data shows the flow rate had declined for three consecutive days.
“We’re confident that this indicates that the peak has passed and our data downstream suggests that the peak is currently at the Renmark level,” he said.
He said the volunteers and engineers would continue to monitor levees right across SA.
“These are under load, they are stressed and they continue to continue to see minor defects and issues,” he said. “So that’s why it’s important that we have active monitoring.”
It comes as a levee at Mypolonga has failed prompting an urgent flood Watch and Act message from authorities.
The levee located near the intersection of North Bokara Rd and Ibis Rd has been breached and water is said to be flowing into the warning area.
The State Emergency Service said a levee closer to the township, running along Hannaford Tce and North Bokara Rd, is likely to become engaged.
“There may be a risk to properties and roads in the warning area,” the message said.
“There may be a need to evacuate. If the situation worsens, you may be isolated or flooded and it may not be safe to leave.
“It may be too dangerous for emergency services to assist you.”
SA SES are monitoring the situation and have asked residents to stay away from the area.
Three adults and a child were rescued by a family member after their boat capsized in Blanchetown. SA Police were called but were later told no one was harmed and a family member on a jet ski had rescued them.
MONDAY FLOOD UPDATE
Renmark’s Mayor Peter Hunter said Monday was the first time locals recorded no rise in flood levels.
“Unless something extraordinary happens, it appears we have reached the peak,” he said.
“Once we’ve confirmed the peak, the focus will turn to recovery.”
Mr Hunter said he remains concerned for other towns that are yet to reach peak floodwater levels.
“Our hearts go out to all the towns down the river from us who are expecting the peak flows,” he said.
Rick Edmonds, co-owner of The Frames Riverland Luxury Accommodation, said “people are going to start feeling a little bit more secure” now that the peak flood level has reportedly reached the town.
Mr Edmonds hopes that Renmark will now see more tourists visiting the town and supporting those impacted by the floods.
On Saturday, Premier Peter Malinauskas said the flows are expected to peak “closer” to 190GL/day, “well short” of 1956 levels.
However, he cautioned the forecasts were still “variable”.
“It still does mean a substantial body of water at a level that we haven’t seen in our state for a long time indeed,” he said.
The State Emergency Service said the waters will move along the river over the next three to four weeks.
SA SES chief officer, Chris Beattie said if residents chose to remain in the area there is a risk of becoming trapped.
“Regardless of your property’s ability to withstand flood impacts there is a chance you may become flooded or isolated,” he said.
“You may not be able to get out to restock your supplies.
“Use local knowledge to assess your own risk and stay aware of your surroundings.”
It comes as the rising flood waters have isolated the Bolto shack community near Mannum.
Hunter Road near Haythorpe Reserve has been closed.
A photo posted by the SA SES shows significant damage to Hunter Road, with a warning to never drive or walk through floodwaters.
The image shows water cascading into part of the road that has collapsed.
Emergency Service has advised people in the area to take shelter as it is now unsafe to evacuate.
Meanwhile, other areas of the Riverland and Murrayland, SA SES sandbagging sites will remain open during heatwave conditions, but will operate during reduced hours.
From December 25 to December 27, all sites will open at 7am until noon.
Sites will return to normal operating hours from 9am until 3pm from December 28.
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