Stuart Highway to be reopened to some traffic on Sunday with access to be extended next week

The flooded Stuart Highway, a key lifeline to SA’s north and the NT will be reopened to some traffic on Sunday, the Premier announced today.

The Stuart Highway will be reopened for select vehicles on Sunday Premier Steven Marshall announced today— marking a key milestone in the state’s flood recovery — after waters were found to be receding at a faster rate than first expected.

Mr Marshall said the Highway would open at 7am on Sunday morning with access to be extended to other road users next week.

“We will start some restricted travel across the Stuart Highway north of Glendambo both for heavy vehicles and emergency services vehicles only,” Mr Marshall said.

“This will be extraordinarily well-controlled - one vehicle at a time through the center of the road - and only operational between sunrise and sunset.

“As of Tuesday next week, we will expand that to also include the high clearance four wheel drive vehicles.

“So as of seven o’clock tomorrow morning, we’ll start to see the first of that essential travel through the Stuart Highway with Glendambo for heavy vehicles, escorted by police and also for emergency services vehicles from Tuesday.”

The Premier toured Port Augusta and Glendambo on Thursday following heavy rain late last month, which caused widespread flooding across the north of the state.

The deluge, which fell across several days, has for nearly two weeks forced the closure of the crucial highway trading route that connects South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Flood waters at Glendambo. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Flood waters near Glendambo are receding. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

Sections of road previously submerged in water can now be seen, but others remain flooded. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

It had initially been covered by 450mm of water, but that level has dropped to less than 300mm and was falling at a more rapid rate than earlier in the week.

Large sections of road north of Glandambo that were previously submerged are now visible and, once the water recedes further, an assessment team will survey the damage and required repairs.

Authorities could decide to open one lane of the road this weekend in order to allow select traffic through, and it is likely that local traffic will be given priority access. Travel to the area is still discouraged.

Mr Marshall, who inspected the flooded highway from a helicopter, said repairing and reopening the vital road was “priority one”.

“We are starting to see those floodwaters recede but there is an enormous amount of work that needs to be done by a lot of people,” he said.

Glendambo Hotel manager Sandy Fennell said several travellers had made their way to the outpost in the last two weeks despite the closure.

SES members in Port Augusta. Picture: Kelly Barnes

SES members in Port Augusta. Picture: Kelly Barnes

A Shield Shrimp (Triop ) that had been found in the floodwaters, now living in a bowl on the front bar of the Glendambo Hotel. Picture: Kathryn Birmingham

Flood waters Glendambo. Picture: Kelly Barnes

She said the flood had also brought an influx in frogs, insects, mosquitoes, reptiles and even shrimp to the usually-arid area.

“When (the flood) first happened there was people swimming in the water,” she said.

“I thought, I wouldn’t be doing that!”

Truck drivers stranded at the roadblock spent days in the tiny community before they were directed to turn around, but Ms Fennell those who remain in local accommodation are now mostly police officers, SES workers and railway workers.

By the end of Thursday, more than 10 flights had been deployed to drop much-needed food and essential supplies into the stranded Far North town of Coober Pedy and surrounding areas.

About 600kg of goods have been directed to help affected communities in the APY Lands.

Mr Marshall was earlier joined by Deputy Premier and Sturt MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan in Port Augusta, where an “unprecedented” 51.6mm of rain fell in the space of an hour on Monday night — but more rain forecast for Wednesday night did not eventuate.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan transport aircraft from 35 Squadron on the taxiway of Coober Pedy airport. The flight delivered crucial supplies to the town. Picture: Australian Government Department of Defence

Rain lashed Port Augusta on Monday night. Picture: Catherine Magay

Mr Marshall thanked SES volunteers in Port Augusta. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

Premier Steven Marshall in the helicopter at Glendambo where the Stuart Hwy has been cut off. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“We are transitioning from the emergency response phase to the recovery phase,” Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.

“The recovery phase is something that needs to be carefully planned, assess the damage, assess what needs to be done and put those things in place.”

The Premier and Deputy Premier also met with Mayor Brett Benbow and thanked SES volunteers at the local headquarters.

“Heartfelt thanks for everything that you’re doing,” the Premier told them.

SES members clean up flood damage in Port Augusta. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

The RAAF delivered food and essential supplies to Coober Pedy, after road access to the town was cut off due to flooding. Picture: Australian Government Department of Defence

The Carlton Medical Centre was among the businesses that have been forced to remain closed following the flood.

On Thursday, the ruined carpets from inside the centre had been ripped up and placed outside.

SES district officer Mike Baker said multiple buildings in the Carlton Parade area had been damaged.

“With such short duration and heavy rainfall, we saw … fast rises in Port Augusta,” he said.

“This area around here is a low-lying area of Port Augusta, and saw those flash flooding impacts.

“It was around this area, and around the corner, that we saw a few swift water rescues take place.”