Flood recovery update 25 August 2023

Accidental counsellor workshop

Do you find yourself often counselling others? Here's your opportunity to gain practical and effective skills to help you respond to and support others when they are experiencing a challenging time. Join experienced Lifeline mental health trainers at either of these Accidental Counsellor workshops.

Date: Wednesday 6 September 2023
Time: 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm 
Venue: The Square, 2 South Terrace, Murray Bridge SA 5253
Register: Accidental Counsellor workshop at The Square

Date: Thursday 7 September 2023
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Venue: The Mannum Club, 66 Randall Street, Port Mannum SA 5238.
Register: Accidental Counsellor workshop at The Mannum Club

These workshops, sponsored by Neami National, are free but registration is required.

Removal of red gum seedlings from levee banks

Since the receding of flood waters, there has been a rise in the number of red, blue and box gum seedlings. While this is an advantageous event for plant diversity on the flood plain, some seedlings have come up in inappropriate places, such as levees and irrigation bays; this can cause structural issues to irrigation infrastructure if neglected.

Where possible, we encourage these seedlings to be transplanted. If the seedlings have grown above 15cm in height, there is limited value in attempting to transplant the sapling as there is a high risk of damage to the tap root during removal meaning survival rates would be low.

For chemical control of more established saplings the following options are suggested:

• Cut and swab to ground level with Weedmaster Duo as instructed by the label.
• Foliar spray with Weedmaster Duo as the label instructs without any penetrant or surfactant as this is toxic to aquatic organisms and will contaminate water supplies.
• Hand pulling or grubbing. Eucalyptus species develop a lignotuber (energy source between the trunk or stem and roots) just below the soil surface and therefore cutting or grubbing the plant out below the lignotuber will likely prevent further regrowth or coppicing.

Discounted native seedlings – offer closes 31 August

Landholders affected by the 2022–23 River Murray flood can receive 50% discount on the total cost of seedlings, tree guards and stakes ordered in the Trees For Life 2023 Tree Scheme.

This discount is available for up to 500 seedlings and 500 stakes and guards per property. Tree Scheme orders close 31 August 2023.

See Trees For Life Tree scheme for more information – including order forms with a species list for your area. Call (08) 8406 0500 or email info@treesforlife.org.au

River Murray flood resilience planning code amendment

The Government of South Australia invites you to participate in the development of the new planning rules to support the River Murray flood-resilient redevelopment.

For more information go to YourSAy or call 1800 752 664.

Property valuations for flood-affected homes

The Valuer-General has prepared a fact sheet to help affected homeowners understand how property valuations will be managed in the River Murray Flood event. See Fact sheets.

Dewatering update

As of 25 August 2023, dewatering is complete at Glen Lossie, bringing the count to 15 of 20 areas totally dewatered.

The remaining irrigation areas are at various stages of progress. PIRSA is actively monitoring and adapting the pumping setups for each location to guarantee sufficient and consistent flow to every pump. Pump sizes are scaled down as necessary to facilitate efficient dewatering progress.

Levee recovery update

Field inspections of levees are ongoing, and reinforcement of levee stabilisation works, where required, is under way. The risk of increased flows on the repaired sections of levees is also being assessed and any identified risks, as well as reinforcement, is being addressed on a priority basis.

Levees remain closed to the public

All government-owned levee banks along the Lower Murray from Mannum to Wellington remain closed for safety reasons. While flood recovery works are being undertaken and until full condition assessments have been completed, 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
• Burdette
• Long Flat
• Monteith
• Jervois

Privately-owned levees along the Lower Murray are managed and maintained by private landowners and access to their levee banks is at their discretion. However, access to private levee banks where the Department is undertaking flood recovery work is not permitted.

If you have queries about levee stabilisation works or would like to discuss your circumstances, please contact the Department for Environment and Water:

• Birgitte Sorensen – A/Manager, Levee Recovery
  • (08) 8463 6942
  • birgitte.sorensen@sa.gov.au
• Lisa van der Linde – Communications and Engagement Officer
  • 0437 313 087
  • lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au

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

River Murray flow in South Australia

The flow at the South Australian border is approximately 52 gigalitres per day and is forecast to increase to around 55 gigalitres per day over the coming week depending on river operations.

Airspace releases from Hume and Dartmouth dams as well as rainfall over the upper Murray catchment and Victorian tributaries (such as the Goulburn and Ovens catchment) over recent weeks has led to this increase in flow at the South Australian border.

The latest forecast upstream of the South Australian border indicates that the flow to South Australia (SA) will increase to around 50 to 55 gigalitres per day in late August, depending on river operation. This flow outlook is largely based on measurements of flow already in transit to SA and may increase and/or persist for longer if further rainfall on the catchment occurs and/or if pre-releases from storages are increased.

The current expected peak flow is similar to flow observed in July to September 2022. However, unlike last year, the forecast outlook is for a warmer and drier than average August to October period.

While this is considered a high flow, this type of flow is most common in winter to spring when the Murray catchment receives the bulk of its rainfall.

See Flow reports for more information.

Predicted water levels

Current water levels are updated daily

Water levels around the Lower Lakes are typical for this time of year, with Lake Alexandrina at approximately 0.78 m AHD and Lake Albert at approximately 0.82 m AHD. The difference is due to wind effects.

The Lower Lakes are being managed to target a daily average lake level between 0.7 m AHD to 0.8 m AHD during August 2023. During adverse weather conditions, SA Water will operate the barrages to minimise the risk of seawater entering Lake Alexandrina, therefore minimising any negative salinity impacts from reverse flow events. As the frequency of storms are greater during winter months it may mean that barrages are often closed. However, every opportunity is being taken to release water when conditions permit. This includes having a large number of gates open when conditions are suitable and utilising automatic gates to open and close at all hours of the day in line with tide conditions.

Water Data SA has information on:

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

The latest flow information is available on the Flows and daily water levels webpage or view the weekly River Murray Flow Report.

If you have any questions, please email the DEW Engagement Team: dew.wiocommunications@sa.gov.au.

Meter readings

Department for Environment and Water (DEW) understands that some customers may be unable to provide current meter readings due to the flood event. If you are unable to comply with meter reading requirements, or have any related concerns, please contact the DEW Water Licensing team at DEW.waterlicensingberri@sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8595 2053 to discuss your individual circumstances.

Inoperable water meters

Where a water meter is inoperable and needs to be replaced, it must comply with national metering standards for meter selection, installation and maintenance. This means that water meters must be:

• pattern approved non-urban water meters (PDF)
• validated by a certified person following installation
• maintained in accordance with national metering standards.

A certified person must complete a validation certificate following a validation on a water meter. Forms are available as pdf or docx.

Once you have been provided with a validation certificate, you are required to notify the Department for Environment and Water of the new meter installation by completing a Water Meter Notification Form.

Please contact the SA Farmer's Dairy Association (SADA) for the details of local certified contractors on (08) 8293 2399 or email sada@sada.asn.au.

Post-flood weed support

The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board’s district officers provide support to landholders, shack owners and primary producers by helping to identify potential weed species and provide advice about available control options.

Landholders are encouraged to be on the lookout for emerging weeds, including unfamiliar weed species which may have travelled down river via flood waters.

The benefits of this support include:

• free equipment loan
• herbicides
• control services
• advisory services.

To arrange a property visit from a District Officer, contact the Murray Bridge office on (08) 8532 9100.

See Post flood weed support for more information.

Structural assessments and waste clean-up for flood-affected properties

Disaster Management Australia (DMA) is delivering a large scope of work on behalf of Green Industries South Australia (GISA) under the Flood Waste Clean-up Program. The program provides the following services for program registrants:

• structural assessment of flood-affected structures
• structural hazard reduction (e.g., asbestos and mold)
• removal and disposal of flood-affected waste
• structural demolition
• removal of other waste relocated by the flood
• removal and processing of sandbags.

If you haven't registered your property for any works and would like assistance, please register with GISA by calling 1800 302 787 between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday. If you have already registered and would like to discuss your support, please contact DMA on 1800 418 491.

Watch the River Murray Clean-Up Update video on Facebook.

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.

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 resources for those seeking support.

Financial assistance for farmers

Primary producers who will be experiencing long term loss of income or reduced income may access the Farm household allowance (FHA), which is a payment for up to four years. FHA is income and asset tested. This can also be lodged via a MyGov account linked to Centrelink.

Contact Rural Business Support (RBS) on 1800 836 211 for assistance.

Grants

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.

Technical support

Specialised assistance, guidance and expertise are available to improve agricultural productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and overall farm management.

Access technical support today.

Key contacts

Department for Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) – Dewatering activities
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
Birgitte Sorensen 
Phone: (08) 8463 6942
Email: birgitte.sorensen@sa.gov.au

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

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