Posted: 2022-10-27 03:28:03

Flows of up to 135 gigalitres per day are now expected in early December in the River Murray, 15 gigalitres higher than previously forecast, the South Australian government has warned.

Continued rainfall throughout parts of the Murray-Darling Basin over the past week has prompted today's revision, up from last week's forecast of 120 gigalitres per day.

"It is possible that figure will go up with further rain events in Victoria," Deputy Premier Susan Close said.

"It’s also quite likely that if there’s further rain further north in the northern parts of the basin and the northern parts of Victoria, rather than there being a much higher figure it will be that amount of water coming for a longer period."

A woman speaking into microphones at a lectern with two men standing behind her.
Susan Close announces funding upgrades to levee banks ahead of high flows in the Riverland.(ABC News: David Frearson)

Dr Close urged locals and property owners in the Riverland to start planning for this "high water and low flooding event".

The state government has announced $3 million to prepare local communities for the increasing flows.

The government will distribute the funds directly to affected Riverland councils to stabilise the levee systems surrounding a number of towns and communities.

"We're aware there are some concerns about the levee system throughout the Riverland, in particular two levee banks that have been drawn to our attention very early on in Renmark," Dr Close said.

"The government has therefore determined to allocate $3 million initially to work with councils — primarily the Renmark council but not exclusively — to work through being able to remedy the gaps in those levee banks so that as we get over the 130 gigalitres that was being identified previously as a challenge for the riverbanks, that we are prepared to withstand the water lapping over the edges.

"The hospital bank for example, at 130 gigalitres, is when the water will start to require the levee bank to be intact.

"If it has gaps, that is the point at which the water will start to flow through.

"So we're now at a position where we know that's very likely to be the experience in early December, so therefore we need to make sure the remediation works have been undertaken."

A sign which says use other footpath in front of a flooded footpath next to a river.
The higher river levels have closed off part of the Renmark Wharf.(ABC Riverland: Sam Bradbrook )

Dr Close said the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and the SES were in the Riverland assessing the levee banks and determining what remediation works were required and working with councils for action to be taken.

"This is a live issue at present, but we want to reassure the community that, united with the councils, we are working on this, we are preparing for what will be coming," she said.

SES focusing on Renmark

SA State Emergency Service Chief Officer Chris Beattie said work in Renmark would be the first priority. 

"Most of the towns within the Riverland sit above the flood plain, the townships themselves," he said.

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