Flood recovery update 19 January 2024
New $8m on-farm water rebate extended to statewide and disaster recovery
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. There is an opportunity to apply for rebates for both drought and flood. Producers are encouraged to seek advice about their particular circumstance with contacts provided below.
Applications close on 30 April 2024, or when all funds are allocated.
For further information, see the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Scheme.
BlazeAid re-fencing
BlazeAid have set up a flood recovery re-fencing camp in Mypolonga, and are seeking volunteers willing to lend a hand.
As well as volunteers to help with the fencing they 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.
If you are a flood-affected property owner that requires re-fencing and wish to find out more, contact Andy O'Donohue on 0477 488 841.
For more information about the re-fencing camp, visit the BlazeAid website.
River Murray flow in South Australia
As of 19 January, 2024, the flow at the South Australian border is approximately 13.5 GL/day and will increase to around 15 GL/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
Recent flooding of the Loddon, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers has now subsided, with river levels in these tributaries falling back below minor flood levels. The flow peaks from these tributaries are now joining the River Murray.
The Bureau of Meteorology has now issued a minor flood warning for the River Murray in some locations upstream of the South Australian border. The flooding in those locations is lower than that experienced in October 2022. The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for flood prediction, warnings and advice for the River Murray in all states.
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority has announced unregulated flow to the SA border due to the increase in flows. It is expected that the flood peaks that were seen in the Victorian tributaries will reduce as floodwaters move through the system prior to reaching the South Australian border. The Department for Environment and Water will continue to monitor the situation, including any potential impacts arising from future rainfall events that may occur in the catchment.
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.
Gate openings at the barrages can be viewed on Water Data SA.
Total daily flow releases from the barrages can also be found on Water Data SA.
The latest flow information is available on the Flows and daily water levels webpage.
If you have any questions, please contact the DEW Engagement team on DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au.
Men of the LMRIA lunch
Men of the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Areas are invited to a lunch at the Swanport Hotel, Murray Bridge, from midday on Wednesday, 31 January 2024.
RSVP is required for catering purposes. For more information visit River Murray Flood Assistance.
Women of the LMRIA morning tea
Women of the LMRIA invite members of the community to a morning tea and a start of the year “check in” from 9.30-11.30am on Tuesday, 6 February.
The event will be held at the Monteith Hall, 238 Bells Road, Monteith. Children and newcomers are welcome.
RSVP and get more information from Alexandra Westlake by email: womenofthelmria@gmail.com
Levee embankments
Field inspections of the levees continue with reinforcement of levee stabilisation works, where required, being prioritised.
All government-owned levee banks along the Lower Murray from Mannum to Wellington remain closed to public access until further notice. 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.
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.
Rural Business Support for primary producers
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.
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.
Meter readings
The Department of 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 to discuss your individual circumstances at:
- Email: DEW.waterlicensingberri@sa.gov.au
- Phone: 8595 2053.
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 432 KB)
- 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 DEW of the new meter installation by completing a Water Meter Notification Form.
It is noted that during the period the registers/convertors are removed, that water may need to be taken (for example in the case that the register/convertor has been removed in anticipation of inundation, but that that does not eventuate). The WRWA holder is required to maintain an accurate log of the date of each irrigation event and the volume of water each irrigation event uses.
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.
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) – 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 Sorenson – Manager, Levee Recovery
Phone: 0452 291 874
Email: brendan.cowie@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
ruralbusinesssupport.org.au
Phone: 1800 836 211
