Motorised boats – including jet skis – are now allowed to be used in restriction zones A, B and C along the River Murray from the border to the upriver side of Lock 3 at Barmera, provided speeds are kept at below 10 knots, or four knots in the proximity of submerged buildings, bridges and levees.

Recreational fishing from a boat is also allowed in those northern river zones, but commercial fishing, swimming, diving and kayaking remain banned.

Restrictions in the southern River Murray zones – from Lake Bonney downstream – remain unchanged.

The relaxing of the restrictions was signed off by state emergency coordinator Grant Stevens yesterday afternoon following a meeting of the state’s emergency council.

Stevens said the decision to ease the restrictions was based on water levels, flow rates and a person’s ability to determine what is submerged in the water.

“The decision that we’ve put into effect today is recognising the fact that this is a changing set of circumstances and there is a level of safety that can be achieved with people, I suppose, using a bit of common sense at the same time,” he said.

“Some people would prefer more, but we’re trying to make a balanced decision that gives access to the river, but at the same time ensures that we’re doing what we believe is responsible in terms of public safety.”

River Murray flood peaks finished passing through every impacted South Australian town on Thursday.

At the time, the government said drier conditions throughout the Murray Darling Basin had reduced flow rates at the South Australian border by about 50 gigalitres a day since December 23.

It said the flows were at about 135 gigalitres – a marked decrease from 190 gigalitres at the peak.

Premier Peter Malinauskas described the restriction changes as “the first sign of us graduating to a different phase of what has been a significant flood event”.

He said the death of a 78-year-old Loxton man in floodwaters last week served as a “stark reminder” of the flood danger, but receding water levels meant it was now safe for people to start resuming activity along the northern section of the river.

“The paramount consideration all the way along here, of course, has been community safety,” he said

“You know what the best protection here of course is? Not just the restrictions, but good judgement – people applying a sense of personal responsibility to themselves and other people that may be on board.

“We invite people just to think through their actions (and) make good judgements.”

Malinauskas said the government was now turning its mind to the cleanup effort.

“We’re just going to have a team effort of local government, to the community members themselves, the state government, the federal government all operating from the same page working together to see us through,” he said.