LRMIA flood recovery update

$31m for Lower River Murray levees intermediate remediation

The Federal and State Governments have announced $17.1 million in funding to progress intermediate remediation works for government-owned levees in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) that were damaged in the 2022–23 River Murray flood event.

The intermediate remediation works will bolster the immediate stabilisation works, which began in March 2023 to enable dewatering of inundated agricultural areas and will support the protection of the region’s economically significant agricultural land and floodplain infrastructure in the event of future high flows.

In addition to the $17.1 million jointly-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement funding, the South Australian Government has allocated $14.2 million in state funds for intermediate remediation works to privately-owned LMRIA levees.

Condition assessments of the levees will inform the development of a longer-term resilience strategy for government and privately-owned levees within the LMRIA. This strategy will also be underpinned by consultation and engagement with the region’s relevant stakeholders.

The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) will continue to work closely with the LMRIA landholders, irrigation trusts and community members in progressing the intermediate remediation works.

If you have any questions on how this funding relates to your area, please contact:

Lisa van der Linde – DEW Communications and Engagement Officer
Phone: 0437 313 087
Email: lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au

Public access to LMRIA Levees

All government-owned levee banks along the Lower Murray from Mannum to Wellington continue to remain closed to public access until full condition assessments of the levees are undertaken and levees are deemed safe for public access. Recreational activities along the levee banks, such as walking, cycling and fishing are not allowed.

The government-owned levee banks are Cowirra, Neeta, Wall Flat, Pompoota, Mypolonga, Mobilong, Burdett, Long Flat, Monteith and Jervois.

Privately-owned levees along the Lower Murray are managed and maintained by private landowners and access to their levee banks is at the landholder's discretion. However, access to private levee banks where the department is undertaking reinforcement of levee stabilisation works is not permitted.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Lisa van der Linde – DEW Communications and Engagement Officer on
Phone: 0437 313 087
Email: lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au

or the DEW Communications and Engagement team at DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au.

Weed identification support

Seen any unusual weeds emerging on the irrigated flats?

To date, the local Landscape Board District Officers have not reported any new weed species entering the area due to the River Murray floods, but rather a further spread of existing weeds into newer areas downstream, further into backwaters, into the main channel and further inland as a result of the flood.

If you discover a weed you have not seen before, take a picture on your phone and then contact the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board at the Murray Bridge office for identification support and management advice on 8532 9100.

For a good summary of weeds in the region based on their status, see Pest plants.

Floodplain field soil testing workshop 23 February

The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board invites landholders in the LMRIA area to join consultants and researchers from Soil Science Australia to discuss soil management in the LMRIA. The day will be held on farm at Geoff and Heather Simons, Baseby Pastoral and will include practical demonstrations and discussions regarding drainage on the flood plains and soil testing.

Register your interest at LMRIA floodplain field soil testing workshop.

Reminder: On-farm water rebate extended to statewide disaster recovery

Don't forget that a new round of the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme has opened with a further $8m available, jointly funded by the South Australian and Australian Governments.

Initially launched to support drought-affected primary producers, the scheme has been expanded to include those impacted by natural disasters which have occurred after 1 January 2022 and is now available to all council areas across the state.

In particular, the scheme will now be available to primary producers affected by the River Murray floods.

Previously, this fund had only been available to drought affected council areas. This round of the scheme may be of assistance to livestock and horticulture producers impacted by the River Murray floods to support repair and replacement of infrastructure damaged by natural disaster, while continuing to support building the resilience of primary producers to drought.

Eligible primary producers can claim up to 25% of the cost of approved critical infrastructure, capped at $25,000.

Applications close on 30 April 2024, or when all funds are allocated.

There is an opportunity to apply for rebates for both drought and flood. Producers are encouraged to seek advice about their particular circumstance.

For further information on the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Scheme visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/onfarm-water-rebate.

In addition, you can contact:

PIRSA Recovery Hotline
9am-5pm Monday to Friday
Freecall: 1800 931 314
PIRSA.Recovery@sa.gov.au

PIRSA Recovery Facilitator 
Tarsha McGregor
PIRSA Murray Bridge Office, Bremer Rd
0428 105 396
Tarsha.McGregor@sa.gov.au

BlazeAID re-fencing – register now

Flood-affected property owners still have time to register your interest with BlazeAID for fencing support. BlazeAID will remain at their Mypolonga camp until the end of March.

Landholders who have accessed this support have said that it has been a huge relief to receive the fencing support from BlazeAID and has enabled them to focus on other recovery tasks.

Landholders who have an agreement with BlazeAID, please ensure you undertake the appropriate fence line clearing to enable the volunteers to reinstate your fencing as quickly as possible. This also enables them to assist other impacted landholders within the timeframe of their stay.

Flood affected landholders wanting to find out more, contact Andy O'Donohue on 0477 488 841.

As well as volunteers to help with the fencing, BlazeAID require people to provide food for the volunteers at the camp. If you are able to volunteer and can spare a few hours to cook, do some dishes, provide some snacks for afternoon tea, or own a food business that may wish to help, please contact Sue Jackson on 0409 979 111 or John Tuckwell on 0438 269 554.

For more information about the re-fencing camp, visit the BlazeAid website.

Rural Business Support

Rural Business Support (RBS) is assisting primary producers and small agribusinesses impacted by the River Murray flood event.

RBS business financial counsellors can support farmers to develop recovery and continuity action plans, to understand the short and long-term implications of the flood event and assist them to manage their financial wellbeing as they recover and rebuild.

The RBS Relief Fund is also helping farming families who are doing it tough with Natural Disaster Support Grants of up to $1,500.

If you would like to learn more about how RBS can support you, please contact our Regional Relationship Manager, Sheree Cameron on 0439 349 701 to organise a chat in person.

Support is just a phone call away. Free call 1800 836 211 or visit Rural Business Support for more information.

River Murray flow in South Australia

As of 16 February 2024, the flow at the South Australian border is approximately 11 gigalitres per day and will decrease to around 10 gigalitres per day over the coming week depending on river operations.

The SA River Murray Flow Report provides weekly updates on flows across the South Australian border, water levels, river infrastructure and impacts to the river.

Subscribe to the weekly SA River Murray Flow Report today.

Upstream flows

Floodwaters from the severe weather event in early January 2024 in some Victorian tributaries have now largely passed through South Australia, resulting in no major increases to pool levels. The River Murray has returned to regulated conditions this week and is no longer experiencing unregulated flow to the South Australian border as a result of this event.

Flood warnings are still current for locations along the Balonne, Paroo and Moonie Rivers in Queensland, and the Paroo River in New South Wales, with river levels easing in many locations.

As floodwaters move downstream, this water will flow into the Darling River and will be (at least) partially captured by the Menindee Lakes storage in western New South Wales, which is currently at around 58% capacity. It is expected that flow peaks from these events will significantly reduce and flatten out as water moves through the river systems prior to reaching Menindee Lakes. It is too early to predict if or how these flows are likely to affect the River Murray in South Australia.

The Department for Environment and Water will monitor river levels and will continue to provide regular information on river flows to South Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for issuing flood warnings and advice for the River Murray in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia (excluding the Lower Lakes). Please refer to the Bureau of Meteorology website for up-to-date information on flood conditions and current warnings for South Australia.

More information on upstream conditions and forecasts can be found in the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s Weekly Flow Report.

Current water levels are updated daily

Water Data SA has information on:

• gate openings at the barrages
• total daily flow releases from the barrages.

The latest flow information is available at Flows and daily water levels.

If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement team at DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au.

Free legal support

Disaster Legal Support provides free legal support to South Australians impacted by or at risk of natural disaster.

To find out how they might help, visit Community Justice Services SA or call Jacqui on 1300 850 650.

Support

Specialised assistance for producers impacted by the floods includes grants and financial assistance, technical assistance and mental health and wellbeing support.

Visit River Murray flood assistance to access support today.

Key contacts

Department for Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) – Agriculture Recovery and Grants
Tarsha McGregor – Recovery Facilitator
PIRSA Murray Bridge Office, Bremer Rd
Phone: 0428 105 396
Email: tarsha.mcgregor@sa.gov.au

Department for Environment and Water (DEW) – Levee assessment and stabilisation
Brendan Cowie – A/Manager, Levee Recovery
Phone: 0457 291 874
Email: brendan.cowie@sa.gov.au

Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC)
Alex Zimmermann – Community Recovery Coordinator
Phone: 0455 984 411
Email: alex.zimmermann@sa.gov.au

Rural Business Support 
ruralbusinesssupport.org.au
Phone: 1800 836 211