SA Government announces Murray flood rebuilding taskforce

It could be years until builders can even start work on the shattered shacks and houses starting to emerge from Murray flood waters.

A task-force will be set up to help shattered river communities demolish and rebuild up to 4000 submerged houses and businesses amid fears delays of four years could be suffered by some families.

Announcing Operation Rebuild, Premier Peter Malinauskas told the Sunday Mail the group would soon meet to co-ordinate the biggest single rebuild effort in the history of the state.

“This is a once-in-a-generation flood,” Mr Malinauskas said.

“And the recovery effort is going to test all of us”.

The Master Builders Association and Housing Industry Association revealed this week concerns the rebuild could take up to four years.

The groups have also been behind plans to co-ordinate a massive effort, with the large number of houses affected causing long delays for insurance assessment, council and state government rebuilding approvals. There are also problems sourcing skilled tradespeople.

HIA executive director Stephen Knight said that without co-ordinated action, many residents could be forced to live in Adelaide and commute to work and school for months or even years.

Flooded properties on the Murray at Morgan on December 9. Picture: Brenton Edwards

One of the many flooded shacks at Swan Reach. Picture: Joel Eglinton

He said the estimate of up-to a four year rebuilding delay was based on far fewer buildings lost during the 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires, with some people still living in temporary housing.

“Many of these flooded houses have gone over the roof and a large number will need total rebuild,’’ Mr Knight said.

“To even turn the power back on a sparky must go through, an engineer must assess the structure, the insurance company must inspect.

“We believe without action the commencement of building could take two years, and then because of Covid-19 shortages for people and materials, building could be finished two years after that.

“This will be shocking news but that is the reality of insurance, approvals and trade shortages and materials problems.”

Mr Knight said it may not be possible to cut the four-year rebuild estimate significantly because of the enormity of the task.

“Our labour base is in the city and materials and workers will be hard to find,’’ he said.

The task force, co-ordinated by Housing Minister Nick Champion, will also bring together the insurance industry, trade associations, local government and the business community.

Floodwaters in many areas are rapidly subsiding, but experts have warned this will begin another flood of assessment, demolition and rebuilding work.

“Issues set to be discussed include how planning timelines and processes will manage an anticipated surge in rebuild applications, as well as increased demand on supply chains and resourcing contractors,’’ Mr Champion said.

“Changes have already been fast-tracked to development regulations for temporary emergency accommodation.”

Funding of $200 million to help with financial pressures has already been announced, but the industry groups warn delays of years could also be crippling.

Joel Eglinton kayaks near his family’s River Murray shack at Swan Reach. Picture: Joel Eglinton

Flooded properties along the Murray at Morgan as the river rose on December 9. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Master Builders Association chief executive Will Frogley said action must start now to avoid widespread suffering by many families facing delays and dislocation.

“For existing structure rebuilds, the government must consider changes to laws which restrict floodplain construction and may result in a six month approval process,’’ he said.

“Many of the 4000 buildings affected will have to be demolished because of the depth of the flood waters, and also because they have been sitting submerged for some time.

“All aspects of the house could be affected including waterlogged wooden frames.

“There will be a second flood; of digital paperwork and planning from as soon as the flood waters go down.

“We have to act now to fast-track the rebuild effort, and especially help the councils, because I think they will be dealing with about 2000 development applications almost right away.

“There would be about 4000 normally processed in those areas in an entire year, and all the councils have their own infrastructure destroyed, a lot of which is needed for tourism and the economy.”

The state government has already reached out to trades associations and the insurance industry to better resource the rebuild effort.

An aerial view of the swollen river during the Premier’s flyover. Picture: SA Government

The area near Joel Eglinton’s Swan Reach shack. Picture: Supplied/Joel Eglinton

Three thousand electricians have been contacted by the state government and 265 have already registered to help avoid the first workforce bottleneck.

Even before clean-ups can begin, Mr Malinauskas said properties must be declared safe hazards such as electrical threats, structural damage, exposed asbestos and mould.

He said efforts were already underway to fast-track approvals for emergency accommodation.

“I encourage owners of affected properties to register for a free assessment by calling 1800 302 787,’’ Mr Malinauskas said.

He said the same contact number can be used to register for taxpayer-funded clean-up and waste disposal assistance for all primary residences, holiday homes and small businesses.

Mid-Murray Council Mayor Simone Bailey welcomed the plan and said the council was already seeking external qualified planning help and help from other councils.

“We have concerns and we estimate that about 2500 of the inundated buildings are in our area,’’ she said.

“Ten to fifteen per cent of these people are permanent residents and rental housing here is at desperation point. We will need help and just even with planning and approvals,’’ she said.