State Coordinator Grant Stevens has signed the first Emergency Management Direction on the River Murray flood, which came into effect today, Wednesday 4 January.

The Direction imposes restrictions on certain activities around response and recovery operations in the River Murray flood emergency.

“While the direction reflects the current restrictions put in place by the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, this Direction allows us to expand the safety and compliance capabilities in regards to not only the river, but the land around the river,” State Coordinator Stevens says.

“The Department for Infrastructure and Transport directions which have been revoked, only referred to activities on the water, whereas this direction enables me to include levee banks and areas where water will eventually recede.”

To ensure restrictions can be added and relaxed as the flood emergency subsides the river has been sectioned into eight zones – with those permitted to use the river subject to different restrictions.

The eight zones are as follows:

• Zone A – SA boarder downstream to Lock 5, (including Paringa)
• Zone B - Lock 5 downstream to Lock 4, (includes Berri and Loxton)
• Zone C – Lock 4 downstream to Lock 3, (near Overland Corner)
• Zone D – Lock 3 downstream to Lock 2 (near Waikerie and Cadell)
• Zone E – Lock 2 to Lock 1, (at Blanchetown)
• Zone F – Lock 1 to Wellington ferry crossing (includes Swan Reach, Mannum, Murray Bridge)
• Zone G – Wellington Ferry crossing to Murray Mouth
• Zone H – Lake Bonney.

For full details go to the website. 

The Direction now prevents people from entering or remaining on a levee except if they are responding to an emergency, inspecting, conducting maintenance or repair. You cannot use a levee to secure a vessel.

The Direction allows people to enter the river for a permitted purpose, these include:

• work;
• access to food, drinking water, medical assistance, or supplies;
• access to any emergency relief or emergency supplies (including sandbags);
• access to fuel;
• access to property;
• attendance on a guided tour by a tour operator;
• to reduce risk to life, of injury to persons, of injury to animals or damage to property;
• to respond to an emergency

Note: You must wear a lifejacket equivalent to a level 50 standard or above if in the open area of a vessel of up to 12 metres in length

“Police will continue to take an educational approach with the community, however this direction will allow us to have clear definitions of what is and is not acceptable behaviour on and around the flooded river,” State Coordinator Stevens says.

People found to breach the Emergency Management Act Direction may receive an expiation notice of $1000, with the addition of the Victims of Crime Levy - or may be referred to court.

This direction does not apply to officers of South Australia Police, the South Australian State Emergency Service, an employee of the Road and Marine Services Division of the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, any authorised officer, or any person directed to assist an authorised officer under the Act.