River Murray levees reopen, three and a half years after floods

You wouldn’t believe it, but three and a half years after the River Murray flood, two east side levee banks have formally reopened to the public.

Runners, walkers and cyclists regularly get their exercise on the Burdett and Long Flat levees, which run from Thiele Reserve down to the Riverpark housing estate.

Many have continued to do so since the floodwaters receded in early 2023, despite the embankments having been declared unsafe by the state government.

But now it’s official: everyone is allowed back on.

“The reopening of the Burdett and Long Flat levees is an important milestone in the Lower Murray’s recovery from the 2022-23 floods,” said Emily Bourke, state Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

“These works are helping return recreational and tourism activities to the region, and restore infrastructure that supports local communities, agricultural production and essential services.”

Both levees, and 16 more along the Lower Murray, failed to hold back floodwaters at the height of the 2022-23 floods.

Valuable farmland was inundated for months as a result, devastating families whose livelihoods depended upon it.

The state and federal governments have since invested $31.3 million in levee repairs, which began in mid-2024.

Department for Environment and Water spokesman Tom Campbell said the remediation works had been vital to ensure public safety.

Levees at Cowirra, Neeta, Wall Flat, Pompoota, Mypolonga, Mobilong, Monteith and Jervois officially remain closed, but are expected to open by the end of this year.

On-ground works at several of those levees were finished more than a year ago.

More money will have to be invested in the Lower Murray levee system to prevent future disasters, a 2025 report into the floods found.

• Read more: River Murray flood lessons must be learnt, inquiry finds
• Read more: We’re not ready for another flood, Lower Murray irrigators warn