The SA State Emergency Service (SES) will hold a flood information session in Goolwa on Saturday 26 November, and the state government has announced financial support for river communities.

The community meeting to provide the latest updates on the River Murray floods and ways to get prepared will be at Centenary Hall from 1pm to 2.30pm.

Anyone unable to attend in person can watch online via live stream on the SES Facebook page.

The state government has unveiled a $51.6 million initial financial assistance package for River Murray communities, households and businesses who will be affected by large-scale flooding.

It says this package of disaster assistance responds to key issues raised as the community prepares and responds to rising river flows.

One-off Personal Hardship Emergency Grants of $400 for an individual, or up to $1000 for a family will be made available to those displaced from their homes to assist with needs in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Up to two weeks emergency accommodation will be funded for those unable to return to their homes.

These measures will be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Under those arrangements, the state government has appointed Alex Zimmerman to serve as Community Response and Recovery Coordinator to support the recovery effort across the affected council areas.

Premier Peter Malinauskas says Mr Zimmerman is a former senior police officer with extensive experience coordinating recovery efforts in previous disasters, including floods and bushfires.

“We know the rising floodwaters will cause distress and damage to many South Australians’ lives and livelihoods, from families to tourism operators and other businesses,” he says.

“That’s why we have acted swiftly to establish disaster funding for those already dealing with the extra water that’s coming down the river, as well as those who may be impacted in the coming weeks.

“I would like to also acknowledge the amazing efforts of local volunteers, community members and emergency services personnel, who have sacrificed hours and hours of their time to help their fellow South Australians prepare for and respond to the floodwaters.”

The nine local government areas eligible for disaster funding are Alexandrina Council, Berri Barmera Council, Coorong District Council, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray Council, Murray Bridge Council, Pastoral Unincorporated Area and Renmark Paringa Council.

The broader assistance package will also include:

• $9.3 million to remediate existing levees and construct new ones on council land, including at Mannum, Cobdogla and Lake Bonney – more than tripling the Government’s support for levee works.
• Grants of up to $50,000 to assist business owners with the cost of private levy works required to bring levees up to certified engineering standard.
• $4.8 million to purchase sandbags and other flood defences.
• An exemption from development approvals for councils who construct their own temporary levees.
• Rental assistance – Up to $2,000 for singles, $5,000 for families who are not insured and are displaced from their homes by floodwaters and who do not have access to alternative accommodation.
• Extension of the SA Housing Authority’s existing rental bond guarantee program to homeowners who are required to relocate from their principal place of residence due to flooding/long term power outage.
• Early Business Closure Grant - $10,000 for non-employing businesses and $20,000 for employing businesses forced to close or cease trading prior to the flood.
• Generator purchase grants of up to $500 for households, and $4,000 for businesses who are switched off from the electricity grid.
• $3 million to meet the costs of relocating or re-establishing pumping/generator infrastructure for irrigators impacted by the floods.
• $3 million for 3 rounds of time-limited $200 vouchers for accommodation and tourism experiences in river communities at a time to be determined by consultation with industry.
• $1.1 million for a ‘Book Them Out’ style marketing campaign.
• $501,000 to reinforce houseboat moorings and pump stormwater.
• $1 million in mental health support.
• $2 million local preparedness fund to be administered by Alex Zimmerman.
• A waiver of state government fees and charges for houseboat and tourism operators impacted by the floods.
• $10 million towards remediation of critical state infrastructure including roads, ferry infrastructure, essential services.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan says the state government has sought and received assurances from the banking industry that the banks stand ready to offer support to customers in financial distress, including through loan and interest deferrals, debt consolidation, loan restructures and other measures. 

“The economic and social impact of this flooding event is likely to be significant, and it is prudent that we invest in keeping families safe, infrastructure secure and businesses alive,” he says.

“We’ve carefully tailored this package to ensure money gets to where it is most needed – and fast.

“We anticipate that this will be the start, not the end of support for flood affected communities in the coming months.”

People wanting more information on the River Murray flood event can call the SA SES flood and storm information line on 1800 362 361 any time.