Don't risk a $10K fine! Here's why all non-essential activities are banned on SA's Murray River over the holiday season
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With summer’s heat behind us, a lot of us are looking ahead to the festive season with a renewed sense of adventure…
Some of us enjoy camping, others enjoy road trips. And for some, our idea of fun is experiencing the beauty of nature, especially during these warmer months.
However, for our members who are planning a trip to South Australia to enjoy some outdoor activities, you might want to review your itinerary as some activities have been banned over the festive season.
In light of recent events, authorities have decreed that the use of all boats and swimming in SA's Murray River are now prohibited until at least mid-January.
It was reported that the water flows from the border continue to increase to a hazardous level due to heavy rainfalls, prompting the SA government to order the closure of the popular waterway to all non-essential activities in the coming days to keep people safe.
The only exceptions are for situations that involve essential reasons such as for work, accessing properties, rescues, and deliveries of food and fuel—with people in these situations required to be accompanied by an authorised officer.
The authorities have also implemented a four-knot speed limit.
These measures have been taken as the Riverland towns usually see their peak period during the holiday season when many families travel from Adelaide to holiday houses along the Murray Valley to enjoy recreational boating.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the decision was made to protect and preserve the public's safety.
He said: ‘When people are at risk and our emergency services have to respond, this is a drain on those resources, which could be out in the community.’
Aside from the issue of public safety, other reasons for the ban include giving SA Power Networks the flexibility to enforce power disconnections and preventing additional damage to levee banks.
‘We know that unnecessary wave action up against the levee banks can do damage over time.’ he explained.
‘For the sake of community safety, this is an inevitable decision that had to be taken at some point... We don't do it lightly but it is something we need to do.’
Mr Malinauskas also revealed that another big wave was coming down the river in the next week and that it would be a much bigger challenge than what they were currently dealing with.
Meanwhile, there have already been eight levee breaches, according to Chris Beattie, CEO of South Australia Emergency Service, but no serious harm to persons or property has resulted from them.
He shared: ‘We are turning our attention to a number of major defects.’
‘There are three top priority at the moment with engineers and council working to remediate or mitigate those issues.’
'There's definitely going to be a large amount of rubbish and debris in the river for many months to come.'
In order to give residents enough time to make travel arrangements, he said watch and act advice would be given to all low-lying localities.
Additionally, the South Australian state police will be patrolling the river to make sure people are aware of the ban on non-essential activities and that anyone who disobeys the order to be fined $10,000.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Riverland towns should be avoided entirely over the festive period, as Mr Malinauskas also encouraged families to support local tourism and businesses in the area.
The South Australian Emergency Service (SASES) made emergency warning update details and sandbag collection point announcements available online.
The agency will also assess the ban in the middle of January and decide if it is safe to reopen the river.
Stay safe during this holiday season, folks!
We hope that the temporary Murray River ban won’t last too long. How about you? What are some of the places you’d rather be during the holidays?
Tell us all your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below!
Some of us enjoy camping, others enjoy road trips. And for some, our idea of fun is experiencing the beauty of nature, especially during these warmer months.
However, for our members who are planning a trip to South Australia to enjoy some outdoor activities, you might want to review your itinerary as some activities have been banned over the festive season.
In light of recent events, authorities have decreed that the use of all boats and swimming in SA's Murray River are now prohibited until at least mid-January.
It was reported that the water flows from the border continue to increase to a hazardous level due to heavy rainfalls, prompting the SA government to order the closure of the popular waterway to all non-essential activities in the coming days to keep people safe.
The ban on non-essential activities in the river was prompted by rising water levels. Credit: Shutterstock.
The only exceptions are for situations that involve essential reasons such as for work, accessing properties, rescues, and deliveries of food and fuel—with people in these situations required to be accompanied by an authorised officer.
The authorities have also implemented a four-knot speed limit.
These measures have been taken as the Riverland towns usually see their peak period during the holiday season when many families travel from Adelaide to holiday houses along the Murray Valley to enjoy recreational boating.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the decision was made to protect and preserve the public's safety.
He said: ‘When people are at risk and our emergency services have to respond, this is a drain on those resources, which could be out in the community.’
Aside from the issue of public safety, other reasons for the ban include giving SA Power Networks the flexibility to enforce power disconnections and preventing additional damage to levee banks.
‘We know that unnecessary wave action up against the levee banks can do damage over time.’ he explained.
‘For the sake of community safety, this is an inevitable decision that had to be taken at some point... We don't do it lightly but it is something we need to do.’
Mr Malinauskas also revealed that another big wave was coming down the river in the next week and that it would be a much bigger challenge than what they were currently dealing with.
Meanwhile, there have already been eight levee breaches, according to Chris Beattie, CEO of South Australia Emergency Service, but no serious harm to persons or property has resulted from them.
He shared: ‘We are turning our attention to a number of major defects.’
‘There are three top priority at the moment with engineers and council working to remediate or mitigate those issues.’
'There's definitely going to be a large amount of rubbish and debris in the river for many months to come.'
In order to give residents enough time to make travel arrangements, he said watch and act advice would be given to all low-lying localities.
Additionally, the South Australian state police will be patrolling the river to make sure people are aware of the ban on non-essential activities and that anyone who disobeys the order to be fined $10,000.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Riverland towns should be avoided entirely over the festive period, as Mr Malinauskas also encouraged families to support local tourism and businesses in the area.
The South Australian Emergency Service (SASES) made emergency warning update details and sandbag collection point announcements available online.
The agency will also assess the ban in the middle of January and decide if it is safe to reopen the river.
Stay safe during this holiday season, folks!
We hope that the temporary Murray River ban won’t last too long. How about you? What are some of the places you’d rather be during the holidays?
Tell us all your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below!
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