Levees

Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) Levees Intermediate Remediation project

Background

The ILMRIA Levees Intermediate Remediation project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The project will return sections of government and privately owned levees that were significantly damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood event to their pre-flood height.

Intermediate remediation works update

• On-ground works have been completed at Pompoota and Long Flat.
• On-ground works continue to progress at Mypolonga and Wall Flat.
• The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) is working with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT), as the state infrastructure agency, on the procurement of contractors to undertake works.
• A request for tender for the remaining 4 government levees was issued by DIT in July, with an anticipated award date in November.
• The procurement for works on private levees and the preparation of associated land access agreements are progressing
  
• The first stage of condition assessments for the LRMIA levees has been completed with the second stage of further investigations and testing in progress.

Public access to levees

Where intermediate remediation works are required for government levees, they will remain closed until the works are progressively completed and subsequent safe access is determined over the next 6-9 months. Any government-owned levee not requiring intermediate remediation work will remain closed pending the outcome of a full condition assessment and a safety risk assessment to ensure they are safe for public access.

The government-owned levee banks are Cowirra, Neeta, Wall Flat, Pompoota, Mypolonga, Mobilong, Burdett, Long Flat, Monteith and Jervois. Access to private levees is at the landholder’s discretion, however, access is not permitted where remediation works are being undertaken.

The safety of the public is of paramount importance and DEW will keep the community informed of the progress of the project, including when levees may be accessible to the public, through its website and newsletter.

FAQ for the intermediate remediation of the LMRIA levees

What is the Intermediate Remediation of the LMRIA Levees project?

The Australian and State governments are jointly funding a program of intermediate remediation works for LMRIA levees that were damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood event. These works will return the significantly flood-damaged sections of the government and privately owned LMRIA levees to their pre-flood height.

The intermediate remediation works are an interim measure until longer-term repair or rebuild options can be developed through the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy, which will be developed by DEW.

Why are we undertaking cultural heritage surveys?

Any land, developed or undeveloped, may contain Aboriginal sites and/or objects of significance to Aboriginal archaeology, anthropology, tradition and history. These sites and objects can relate to Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and ceremonial activities, living patterns and burials and the use of environmental resources such as water, animals, plants and stone.

A key provision of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) is Section 23, which states that it is an offence to damage or disturb Aboriginal heritage. By undertaking cultural heritage surveys, potential significant sites or artefacts can be identified, and potential damage avoided through mitigation measures.

What is the purpose of the full condition assessments?

Full condition assessments of the levees will assess the extent of damage sustained during the 2022-23 River Murray flood event, as well as the levees’ current structural integrity and general functional performance. The assessment consists of 2 phases of site-based activities, including a visual levee inspection followed by further investigations and testing. The outcomes of these assessments will inform the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy.

What is the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy?

The LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy will make recommendations on longer-term repair and/or rebuild approaches for levees, including a proposed minimum design specification. The strategy will be informed by outcomes of the condition assessments of the levees.

What is the LMRIA Levee Governance and Management Strategy?

The LMRIA Levee Governance and Management Strategy, will make recommendations on longer-term arrangements for the ownership, management, operations and maintenance of the LMRIA levees. This strategy will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders including irrigation trusts and landholders in the LMRIA.

When will levee banks be open for public access and recreational activities?

Following the 2022-23 River Murray flood event, the Government of South Australia’s focus in the LMRIA has been to stabilise the levee banks (both government and privately owned), to support the recovery of areas used for primary production that were inundated during the flood.

Where intermediate remediation works are required for government levees, they will remain closed until works are progressively completed and safe access is determined over the next 6-9 months. Any government-owned levee banks not requiring intermediate remediation works will remain closed pending the outcome of condition assessments and a safety risk assessment to ensure they are safe for public access. This is expected to be in late-2024.

Why is the Department for Infrastructure and Transport working on the project?

As a state infrastructure agency, DIT will manage the construction works, including procurement of contractors. This is a requirement for publicly funded construction works that have a value of more than $15 million. DEW will manage the overarching program, including stakeholder communication and engagement and the development of the 2 longer-term LMRIA levee strategies.

Useful information

Contacts

DEW Communications and Engagement team
DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au

Lisa van der Linde
Communications and Engagement Officer
Lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au T | 0437 313 087

Fact sheet for the intermediate remediation of the LMRIA levees

River Murray flows

• Department for Environment and Water SA River Murray Flow Report
• Murray Darling Basin Authority's River Murray weekly report

More information about levee banks

Improving Levee Bank Management project

This project will improve levee bank management by delivering a statewide policy and proposing regulatory reform, while continuing work in priority catchments including the Gawler River and River Murray (LMRIA levee banks are out of scope for the River Murray deliverables due to the scale of investment required. The Intermediate Remediation of LMRIA Levees project will focus on these).

Visit the website levee bank management.

Fact sheet for the statewide Improving Levee Bank Management project.