Kingston Rd, Lyrup ferry to reopen as more recreational restrictions eased

As River Murray flood waters recede, a key road and ferry are set to reopen on Wednesday. It follows the easing of some recreational restrictions along the waterway.

As River Murray flood waters recede, a key road and ferry in the Riverland will reopen on Wednesday.

Kingston Rd at Moorook will re-open to light vehicles weighing less than 4.5 tonnes, by 8am.

The shoulder of the road is soft and traffic cones and speed restrictions will be in place to alert motorists to areas of concern.

Department of Infrastructure and Transport maintenance teams are assessing the remaining closed roads to work out the extent of the damage and what repairs are needed.

Closer to the Victorian border, the Lyrup ferry will resume operations from midday.

The ferry will only open to light vehicles, weighing less than 4 tonnes, due to local council weight requirements on the connecting roads.

Kingston Rd at Moorook will reopen to light vehicles on Wednesday. Picture: Department of Infrastructure and Transport

The Lyrup ferry will also recommence operations from midday. Picture: Department of Infrastructure and Transport

Meanwhile, acute in-patient admissions will resume at Renmark Paringa District Hospital.

Admissions were suspended on December 5 as part of the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network’s (RMCLHN) flood response.

In the following days, the RMCLHN moved the most vulnerable residents to other facilities.

All residents, including aged care residents, have now been returned to their usual rooms in the complex.

Health Minister Chris Picton said it was now “business as usual” on both fronts.

“It’s a wonderful outcome that aged care residents can return to their own rooms and most importantly, that they continued to receive high quality care,” he said, thanking staff, residents and families.

Adrian and Jasmine Rosa have some fun on their jet ski the River Murray at Mannum, South Australia. Picture: File

On Monday afternoon, further recreational restrictions were relaxed in a small section of the River Murray.

The direction came at 5.10pm and refers to Zone D, which includes Overland Corner and Waikerie, is above Lock 2 but below Lock 3 along the river.

Under the changes, people can operate a motorised vessel, including a jet ski – but they must not exceed a speed of 10 knots or tow a person.

Fishing or yabbying from motorised boats is allowed, but boats must not exceed a speed of 4 knots within 250m or a levee or 250m from any building partially or wholly submerged.

People in the open area of a vessel of up to 12 metres in length must wear a lifejacket equivalent to a level 50 standard or above.

Only those with a permitted purpose are allowed to swim, dive or operate a human-powered vessel like a kayak.

Houseboats are still banned.

Restrictions in zones A, B and C were eased last week.

Zones along the River Murray. Picture: Supplied

On January 18, 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.