Flood recovery update 21 April 2023

The table in this week's update shows the progress of the State Government's levee assessment and dewatering program.

Dewatering is complete in 2 areas, and under way across 13 areas with assessments conducted weekly as the circumstances in each LMRIA area change.

Levee recovery update

PIRSA and DEW are continuing the process of stabilisation assessments and dewatering of levees in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA). Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) flights, stability assessments and reports have been completed at the majority of government-owned levees. Stability works have now commenced at Mypolonga and Burdett, with remaining levees scheduled for late April and May 2023.

LiDAR flights are now underway at the privately owned levees. Once these are complete and assessment reports received, DEW will access the levees by foot or light vehicle to undertake on-ground inspections and geophysical testing, where able, to ensure stability of banks for civil earth moving equipment.

Once the levee banks have been assessed for stability and bearing capacity, short-term stabilisation works will be undertaken to enable the dewatering of the land and to provide landowners access.

Considerations for works to be undertaken include the safety of staff and contractors, accessibility (both to and along the levees), integrity of the remaining length of levee and availability of contractors and materials.

Once the areas have dried out and the levees are no longer engaged on both sides, a full condition assessment will be undertaken to determine longer term requirements.

For more information and updates on levee recovery works, see Levees.

LMRIA dewatering and levee conditions

Dewatering update

There are 27 irrigation areas in the LMRIA involving 142 landholders. Twenty of the 27 irrigation areas supporting production agriculture have been inundated by the flood and require assistance to dewater and recover. The size of the irrigation areas ranges from 15–480 hectares with an average depth of water of 1.5 m. The total area of inundated land is 2,157 ha and it is estimated that more than 40 GL of water needs to be removed.

The equipment required to handle this volume of water includes industrial high volume pumps, the associated engines, fuel and heavy vehicle transport. Therefore placement and operation of the pumps requires careful consideration to ensure protection of levees, environmental impacts and community impacts such as noise. Some sites have also required earthworks to provide a stable base for the pumps and access clearance.

The dewatering process is being done within existing regulatory requirements and with full consideration of environmental aspects such as water quality, pest species management, river and levee bank protection. The risk of water quality issues resulting from the dewatering process is low while river flow rates remain high. A water quality monitoring protocol is in place.

The equipment varies for each situation and a range of pump sizes and numbers have been deployed at each site to suit the local need. The average pump output is about 50 ML/day – estimates suggest it will take 1 week of constant pumping to move 1 GL of water. There are currently 23 pumps deployed across 13 sites with the remainder to be commenced in the coming weeks. Weekly maintenance of pump operations is occurring with each pump requiring checking and refuelling every couple of days.

With staggered start dates of dewatering and the variable pumping rates at each site, it is difficult to provide a firm end date for dewatering. With 14 irrigation areas having commenced dewatering over the last 7 weeks, more are nearing completion. This will not detract from those areas still preparing for dewatering to commence - all sites requiring dewatering will receive assistance.

River waste disposal stations

As water levels recede, DEW is recommissioning each waste disposal station when it is deemed safe and possible to do so. The recommissioning process includes regaining safe access to the site, inspecting the infrastructure for any damage, repairing any damaged infrastructure, reinstating equipment, and reconnecting and testing services.

The following river vessel waste disposal stations are now operational:

• Swan Reach
• Renmark
• Loxton
• Berri
• Waikerie
• Morgan
• Blanchetown
• Walker Flat
• Goolwa.

The remaining stations are awaiting reconnection to services by SA Power Networks. Based on works completed to date, indicative timeframes for recommissioning the remaining stations are as follows:

• Lock 6 – late April 2023*
• Murray Bridge – TBC
• Mannum – late April 2023*

*These times may be subject to change dependent on factors outside DEW's control including, SA Power Networks, removal of adjacent temporary levee banks (where applicable), and safe road access.

Until the river vessel waste disposal stations can be recommissioned, commercial options remain available for businesses to utilise temporarily at the houseboat owners or operators' expense.

LMRIA Recovery Subcommittee update

A reminder that the LMRIA Recovery Subcommittee will be meeting 26 April. If you wish to raise any matters with the subcommittee, key contacts are listed below.

DPC survey reminder

As part of the plan to move towards achieving positive outcomes for communities, businesses and councils, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) invites you to share your thoughts, issues and ideas, whether you were directly affected by the flood or not.

The survey will close at midnight on 30 April 2023.

If you are unable to complete the survey before the closing date, or if wish to provide more feedback, please contact Alex Zimmermann, Community Recovery Coordinator, on 0455 984 411 or alex.zimmermann@sa.gov.au

Access to levees

Please be aware that all government-owned levee banks along the Lower Murray from Mannum to Wellington remain closed until further notice. Recreational activities along the levee banks, such as walking and fishing, will not be allowed during this time.

While stability assessments and works are being undertaken, safety on and around the levees, is the primary focus. To ensure the safety of yourself and others, you should not:

• enter or remain on an engaged levee except as provided for an emergency response or inspection, maintenance, and repair (including inspection, maintenance and repair of the levee, power lines or other infrastructure)
• moor, anchor, attach, or secure any vessel to an engaged levee
• operate a vessel on the River Murray exceeding a speed of 4 knots within 250 metres of an engaged levee.

Local Irrigation Trust members and contractors will have continued access for inspections, maintenance, and emergency repairs. Members are encouraged to take all necessary precautions when working on the levees.

As privately owned levees along the Lower Murray are managed and maintained by private landholders, access to their levee banks may be closed at the discretion of the landholder.

Predicted water levels

Current water levels are updated daily

Water levels around the Lower Lakes are typical for this time of year, where DEW usually target an average water level of 0.6 m AHD across Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert. While there is not a specific water level target for the LMRIA, both areas are connected and what occurs in the Lower Lakes will impact the LMRIA.

Over the coming months, the target water level around the Lower Lakes will gradually rise to 0.7 m by the end of June, as occurs at this time during most years.

Although this is the target, there will be times when the water levels can be higher or lower. At these times the barrages will be operated to either raise or lower water levels as required. Water levels and barrage operations are monitored closely by the South Australian Government, Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Commonwealth Environmental Water Office.

The latest flow information is available at Flows and daily water levels or see the weekly River Murray flow report.

If you have any questions, please email the DEW Engagement Team.

Waste clean-up

Do you have old sandbags or other wastes to dispose of? Free vouchers for flood-affected debris disposal are now available.

Register for a free clean-up assessment with Green Industries SA's waste collection program by calling 1800 302 787.

Once registered, an authorised contractor will contact you. Assessments and waste removal will commence when heavy vehicle access is permitted.

For more information, see Flood disaster waste management.

Mental health assistance

The short and long-term recovery of an event such as the River Murray 2022–23 flood event, can have a significant impact on the mental health and wellbeing of affected communities and individuals.

The impact may also be felt by people who are not directly affected by the floods, but may have experienced previous trauma related to a natural disaster, have loved ones in affected areas or are witnessing traumatic events through media coverage and social media.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed and struggling to cope, reach out to local services that can provide mental health and wellbeing support. SA Health's Mental health recovery information for community members after a disaster provides a range of practical and emotional resources available for people who wish to seek support due to the impact of the River Murray flood disasters.

Family and Business (FaB) mentors are also available as a starting point to access support.

Financial assistance for farmers

Services Australia will provide disaster relief payments to eligible farmers who have been impacted by the floods. The payment rate is equivalent to the JobSeeker allowance (maximum payment is approximately $608 per fortnight for each person if partnered, or $718 per fortnight if single with children). These claims can be made up until 29 May 2023.

For more information see:

• South Australian Floods, November 2022 - Disaster Recovery Allowance
• Centrelink online account help - Claim the Disaster Recovery Allowance

Alternatively, for primary producers who will be experiencing long term loss of income or reduced income, the Farm household allowance (FHA) may be available, which is a payment for up to four years. FHA is income and asset tested.

Both payment types can be lodged via a MyGov account linked to Centrelink.

Rural Business Support (RBS) can assist primary producers with these claims and longer-term financial planning and management to help get your businesses back up and running – phone 1800 836 211.

Additional assistance

Primary producers impacted by the River Murray flood are encouraged to access the Primary Producer Recovery Grants and the Primary Production Irrigation Grants along with other services.

For more information call 1800 931 314.

Key contacts

PIRSA – dewatering activities
Tarsha McGregor – Recovery Facilitator
PIRSA Murray Bridge Office, Bremer Rd
Phone: 0428 105 396
Email: tarsha.mcgregor@sa.gov.au

DEW – levee assessment and stabilisation
Scott Ashby – Community engagement
Email: dew.wiocommunications@sa.gov.au

DPC – Community Recovery Coordinator
Alex Zimmermann
Phone: 0455 984 411
Email: alex.zimmermann@sa.gov.au

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