Funding question over Riverland flood levees
Riverland councils have welcomed $3 million of state government funding to help shore up levees ahead of high River Murray waters expected to peak in early December, but say more might be needed.
The River Murray laps the levee of a Blanchetown caravan park. Photo: Michael Donald
Renmark Paringa Council Mayor Neil Martinson said more funding would likely be needed to secure levees and infrastructure before river flow rose to a predicted 135 gigalitres per day by early December.
“We welcome yesterday’s commitment of $3 million to prepare local communities for the increasing flows, however as this event continues to grow we anticipate that further funding will be required,” he said.
A Renmark Paringa Flood Mitigation Study conducted only for the 38km levee network based in the Renmark Paringa area was costed at $4 million in 2012.
“We are working in collaboration with the South Australian Government and we anticipate that as this event unfolds we will be in a better position to understand the financial needs,” Martinson said.
On Friday afternoon the SES issued new flood advice for the River Murray between Lock 1 at Blanchetown and Wellington.
“The flow into the River Murray at the border is currently at 85GL per day and is expected to reach 100GL per day by early November,” it said.
“As this higher flow moves into the warning area over the following three weeks it will raise the River Murray to Minor Flood level.”
The Berri Barmera Council said the funding was an “important starting point for the protection and safety of our community”.
Michael Donald said he and his wife were preparing to take over the lease of the Big 4 Riverside Holiday Park at Blanchetown next month, as river flows increase.
The site has already seen water engulf a grassed area at the front of the property in front of a retaining wall levee.
“It’s a bit scary in one way,” he said.
“I’m not sure that’s going to happen, because I’m actually very good friends with the actual owner of the park. And I don’t think he’d want us to basically go broke in our first year.”
Michael Donald who runs the Blanchetown Big 4 caravan park with his wife. Photo: Supplied
“Our retaining walls at the front of the park was built after the 1991 flood, purely to hold back water from that flood which I think was at 135 gigalitres flow.”
“So anything over 135 GL, I think the park will get wet feet,” he said.
