The state government last month announced it would spend $1.2 million securing short-term emergency accommodation in motels, hotels, cabins and modular housing along the River Murray to shelter locals whose homes were damaged by the floods.

The government secured 26,926 bed night stays until February 6, but as of Tuesday, only 105 people had stayed in the rooms – including just 47 on Tuesday night.

Mid Murray Council Mayor Simone Bailey said the low take-up was mainly due to residents finding their own alternative accommodation.

A caravan on a block of land with no power for them felt like a better option

She said some residents around Morgan were currently staying in caravans with no power so that they could remain on or close to their property.

“I just said to them (the residents): ‘There are 22,000 rooms and people haven’t been using them’,” she said.

“The problem with the people not using it is, yes, the hotels get their money, but the staff who would normally clean the rooms if you had tourists in there every day and the hospitality staff – they’re not working.

“I just suggested to those people who are really struggling at the moment to go and ask the relief centre for two or three days’ accommodation just to have a little bit of relief from the weather, get your washing done, have a nice shower.”

Bailey said the government and local councils were unaware before booking the hotel and motel rooms that so many River Murray locals would be able and willing to find their own alternative accommodation.

“In our region, people wanted to stay close to their homes,” she said.

“Everyone was afraid of looting, so a caravan on a block of land with no power for them felt like a better option so they could go quickly check on them.”

Downstream in Murray Bridge, Mayor Wayne Thorley also reported a low take-up of emergency accommodation, saying most of the flood-damaged dwellings in his council area were holiday homes – not primary residences.

Flooding at Swan Reach. Photo: Tony Lewis/InDaily

Renmark Paringa Council Mayor Peter Hunter said there had also been low take-up in his council area, but he praised the government for securing emergency accommodation early.

“While it hasn’t been taken up, it was heartening to know that the government had put in place both the modular accommodation and then the booking out of motel rooms, hotel rooms beforehand so we were incredibly well-prepared,” he said.

“The balance of that is tourism is down, so all these accommodation venues have had funding through the period.

“I’m sure there’ll be people out there slamming the government for wasting money, but you don’t know what you don’t know and I think the government has been fantastic in the way they’ve tried to cover all bases.”

According to the government, of the more than 4800 households contacted in outreach efforts before the flood peaks hit, about 260 had indicated they might have needed emergency accommodation.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook said 26,926 bed night stays were booked “in preparation for the worst-case scenario based on extensive consultation by emergency services”.

She said as the flood levels improve in some areas, there had been a reduction in those requiring accommodation.

“We know how stressful the situation is for River Murray communities and we are determined to provide support to all those whose primary residence has been impacted,” she said.

“While we are making every effort to assist and support people to return home, where possible, we are also focussed on ensuring emergency accommodation is provided to those in need.

“Support services and advice continue to be available for affected residents, with Emergency Relief Centres in operation in Berri, Murray Bridge and Mannum.”

Tourism Industry Council SA CEO Shaun de Bruyn said he was not aware of tourists finding it difficult to book accommodation in the Riverland despite the government securing many of the available rooms.

There’s lots of work to be done to make sure those roads are safe before we can get the tourists

But he did call on the government to reopen as soon as safely possible river-fronting caravan parks that remain closed due to safety concerns and water inundation.

The council estimates that about 12 South Australian caravan parks are currently impacted by the River Murray floods, with more than half of those closed, including some that were mandated to close.

“Where there are opportunities to reopen those businesses, we really encourage the South Australian bureaucracy, specifically the SES (State Emergency Service) to have a look at how they can expedite the opening of those caravan park businesses again,” he said.

“That provides additional accommodation capacity for workers and people who are there on trips.”

Bailey also called for caravan parks to reopened as soon as possible, saying most in the Mid Murray council area are on the river and currently closed.

“We’re hoping as the river recedes in the next few weeks we can get back that sort of accommodation in the region,” she said.

“We’ve got 300 kilometres of roads that have been impacted, so there’s lots of work to be done to make sure those roads are safe before we can get the tourists into those sorts of areas.”

People wanting to stay in River Murray communities are advised to contact local visitor information centres to ask where rooms are available.