Tourism operators in South Australia's Riverland region are open for business and keen to welcome visitors as high flows travel down the Murray River from up north.
Key points:
- People are being urged to continue visiting SA's river communities as river flows increase
- The Murray River in South Australia is experiencing a high river event but is not at flood level
- Riverland tourism operators say now is the perfect time to experience and support the region
River flows into SA are currently sitting at 79,000 megalitres a day, with predictions they will reach 90,000ML a day during mid-November.
Destination Riverland general manager Pamela Canavan said visitors could safely travel to river towns in South Australia and enjoy the experience.
"There's still so many things to see and do," she said.
"The advice is plan ahead, ring ahead, contact the local Visitor Information Centres or speak to businesses directly."
Tourism is a major industry in the Riverland, with the visitor economy generating more than $232 million annually and the sector employing about 1,100 people.
Ms Canavan said some lower lying areas around Morgan and Cadell were being impacted by the high flows and houseboat operators were also likely to be affected.
"We don't want to ignore the fact some people [and businesses] will be impacted but we don't want to scare people away from the region," Ms Canavan said.
"We are very much still open for business and it is still safe to visit."
Don't use the F word
David Hartley owns and operates the Mannum Motel and a shack rental business that stretches along the South Australian river corridor.
He told ABC Radio Adelaide while flows were at a higher level than usual, they were nowhere near flood level, or what was happening in other parts of the country.
"Our little bit of inconvenience down here is really nothing compared to what's happening in Victoria, so we're really lucky," he said.
"The high flow event is probably going to last longer than we initially thought ... everything's built up a little higher at our end, so a few floors might get wet, but overall we're pretty safe."
He said he had let a few people know their holiday would be cancelled but most understood it was a natural event.
"There's plenty of people coming to look at the bird life and back waters," he said.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone urged people not to use the "F word" — flood — prematurely.
He said to instead make the most of Riverland hospitality with plenty of accommodation still available for the summer holiday season.
"People visiting our region interpret the word flood as if we've got water running down the main street when we don't, we are just experiencing a high river event," he said.
"It sends a negative message to anyone planning to come up as a tourist or visitor and spend much-needed money in our local economy.
"What we are seeing is our environment in a state of play which is rejuvenating our wetlands and floodplains and it's something quite majestic to experience."