Murray Bridge flood recovery centre closes after 414 days
A key chapter in the story of the 2022-23 River Murray flood has drawn to a close.
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A key chapter in the story of the 2022-23 River Murray flood has ended with the closure of the state government’s Murray Bridge recovery centre.
After 414 days, staff from the centre at 28 Bridge Street celebrated their achievements with a morning tea on Friday before finishing up.
Since they first opened last summer, the Murray Bridge centre and another at Berri:
- responded to 9350 enquiries
- welcomed 4010 visits
- distributed 2142 grants, worth $6.7 million
- organised 2544 nights of emergency accommodation
- provided 230 residents with ongoing case management
Recovery coordinator Alex Zimmerman became emotional as he reflected on the “incredible” difference staff at the centre, and at agencies involved in the flood response, had made in people’s lives.
“You were there, standing shoulder to shoulder with those who were suffering incredible loss,” he said.
“You were the ones providing the hope and the help that they needed.
“Thank you so much for advocating on behalf of people who really needed someone on their side, someone to listen.”
Likewise, centre manager Sarah Wilson thanked her team for the time and effort they had put into the flood response, with barely a sick day or a day off.
Many agency staff moved to the Murraylands or Riverland for the duration of the response, and spent many of their days visiting communities up and down the river.
It was worth celebrating what flood responders had achieved, the SA Housing Authority’s Shane Pritchard said, even as he acknowledged that “there’s still many people suffering and struggling”.
State Human Services Minister Nat Cook noted that help would remain available through the government’s Recovery SA website and phone line.
“Let’s not go away,” she told those present at the gathering.
“We’ll still be here while people are battling their insurance companies.”
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In the meantime, she expressed pride in the way people had pitched in to help each other out.
The Murray Bridge centre first opened at Le Messurier Oval as a distribution point for emergency relief on January 5, 2023.
It moved to the former bank building on Bridge Street two months later.
- Get help: Visit www.recovery.sa.gov.au/river-murray-flood, or call the state relief and recovery info line on 1800 302 787 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.
