Tourism businesses take financial hit as flooding continues around Mildura

A Mildura houseboat business expects to lose more than half a million dollars as rising floodwaters threaten summer tourism along the Murray River.

Mildura is bracing for the economic impact rising floodwaters may have on the region’s tourism sector this summer, with one business expecting to lose more than half a million dollars.

Staying on a houseboat on the Murray River is a highlight for hundreds of people keen to spend time in the sun each summer but this year it’s unlikely people will be able to do so until the end of January.

Mildura Houseboats owner Chris Durban has already taken a severe financial hit.

Mr Durban has lost around $400,000 in bookings from October to December 25.

“It’s been quite devastating,” he said.

He has not yet started refunding bookings for after Christmas, though he doesn’t think he’ll be able to reopen his doors until mid to late-January.

While he said a lot of people were pushing their trips back, he was still expecting to lose at least another $200,000.

Mildura Houseboats' office before the flood waters started rising.

Mildura Houseboats' office is close to being flooded.

Being unable to operate his usually thriving business of 22 years has also impacted the livelihood of his staff.

He has been forced to lay off a dozen casual workers and cut the hours of all his full-time employees.

“We’ve laid off all 12 of our casual workers, even full-time staff are working reduced hours, which has an effect on how quickly we come back,” Mr Durban added.

But Mr Durban remains in high spirits despite his situation and is determined his business will bounce back.

“We endure…. we’ve been here for 22 years, we’ve been through floods before… that’s just life in the country,” he said.

Mildura Houseboats moored due to Murray River flooding. Taken on December 1, 2022.

SES incident controller Mark Cattell confirmed the Murray River was still continuing to rise despite a levee breach upstream at Euston.

The Murray River at Mildura is expected to remain around 38.15M AHD until the weekend meaning the expected peak has again been pushed back.

It is now expected around December 7, when it is predicted to have risen to above 38m AHD.

The river is expected to remain at that level until late December.

An ‘emergency warning’ and numerous ‘watch and act’ warnings remain in place throughout the Mildura area.