Pictures: ‘War-zone’-like Murray River flood devastation revealed as clean-up begins
As Riverland residents return to see the true scale of flood disaster, many now face staggering damage bills, ruined properties and months of recovery efforts.
SA News
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The water may be receding, but the huge clean-up effort has only just begun as Riverland residents return to assess the scale of flood devastation.
Karen Andrewartha’s Walker Flat property is one of about 4000 properties along the river that were inundated by swollen waters, with many residents facing staggering damage bills.
Ms Andrewartha and her husband have been working to remove mud and sediment from their home as they await an insurance assessment.
Local Rick Moran said scenes in South Punyelroo, near Swan Reach, were “like a war zone” with debris hanging from trees five metres off the ground – but residents remained “in good spirits” despite the massive job ahead.
The state government has announced a $60m joint-funded waste management program, allowing affected homeowners to drop off flood-damaged material at any of 11 transfer stations in the region.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the clean-up phase of the disaster had “a long way to go”.
“The clean-up effort will gather momentum once the waters have fully receded and roads become more accessible to heavy vehicles to come in and assist flood-affected residents, property-owners and businesses,” he said.
More than 750 insurance claims have been lodged so far, the Insurance Council of Australia has revealed, but many properties have remained inaccessible.
But as they anxiously await their assessments, some property owners have been slugged more than $50,000 to renew their insurance policies in the wake of the disaster.
Now, with most river restrictions eased and roads reopened, Riverland property owners have been sharing photos and videos of the damage as they return to their homes.
It has been revealed that River Murray holiday home owners will be left with massive renovation bills, when the government announced it would not financially support “full-time private holiday homes” affected by flooding.
Those whose primary place of residence may be eligible to apply for up to $48,830 in stamp duty relief on the purchase of a new home while temporary residents are set to receive no financial aid.
Repair works have also begun on flood-damaged roads, with the SES estimating nearly 1200km of road was affected.
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