Levees will stay shut for the near future, DEW says

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More than a year after the Lower Murray’s levees were closed to runners and walkers, we’re no closer to finding out when they might reopen.

The state Department for Environment and Water closed all government-owned levee banks to the public on November 21, 2022 in preparation for that summer’s floods.

Most of them breached or were overtopped over the next two months, and a few went again after a wind storm on September 8.

So, Murray Bridge News asked: when can we expect them to open again?

A DEW spokesman declined to name a date.

The levees had been stabilised, allowing irrigation areas to be de-watered; some had been reinforced where necessary; and reinforcement work was continuing in places.

However, a further hold-up was likely to keep the levees closed for the forseeable future, he suggested.

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“Further intermediate remediation works to bring the damaged sections of levees to pre-flood levels, as well as full condition assessments, are proposed and being considered by the state government,” he said.

“The government-owned levees will remain closed until the full condition assessments and the intermediate remediation works, where required, are completed.

Event organiser Morgan Coull was among the locals who said that wasn’t good enough.

Over the summer, the Lower Murray’s levees would normally be abuzz with runners and walkers taking advantage of the scenery and stable terrain.

“We use (the levees) quite extensively for running and run training,” Mr Coull said.

“They provide a surface that’s less taxing on the body, which prevents over-use injuries … not like pavement or bitumen.

“They’re good for particularly going around the Fred Sanders loop or up to the pump house as part of the Murray-Coorong Trail – it showcases what we have as a region.”

The levee closure could even be detracting from the local economy, he suggested, as runners and walkers completing the Lavender Federation Trail were forced to cut short their journeys rather than coming into, or departing from, the trail head on the riverfront.

That would mean fewer bookings at local hotels and caravan parks, and fewer meals served in local restaurants.

Another local, Kaitlyn Enter, said she missed being able to access a walking route she had taken every day before the floods.

More frustrating, she said, was the fact she had seen cars driving along levees multiple times, and motorboats speeding past without regard for the damage they might cause.

Surely the department could do something, rather than keeping us all in limbo?

“We understand people are eager to access the levees for recreational activities,” the department’s spokesman said.

“But people’s safety is paramount while levee remediation works are undertaken.”

• More information: www.environment.sa.gov.au.