The Murray River Emergency Declaration Area downstream from Moama has in places been revised due to reduced risk as floodwaters move downstream.
Of the revision, Incident Controller Superintendent Mitchell Parker said "this has been an enormously long and challenging period for communities and businesses along the Murray River, being able to return sections after this historic flood event is an important step towards recovery".
Whilst the revision removes the Emergency Warning Area Declaration between Perricoota Station and Speewa Ferry, an Emergency Declaration still remains in place for the sections between Murray Eden Homestead to Little Murray River Junction and Speewa Ferry to Nurtram Billabong. This is inclusive of the township of Barham and surrounds as flood waters remain at moderate levels.
"We are continuing to monitor the situation at Barham very closely as the water level drops, as soon as the risk profile to that community changes we will review the declaration status for that area as well" said Superintendent Parker.
Superintendent Parker also stressed the importance of safe river usage with this revision, with NSW Transport and Maritime setting strict conditions on all river usage to maintain the integrity of levees in place to protect the community.
Key Points
The Emergency Declaration has been removed for the following areas of the Murray River:
- Between Perricoota Station and Speewa Ferry
The Emergency Declaration remains in place for the following areas:
- Murray Eden Homestead to Little Murray River Junction
- Speewa Ferry to Nurtram Billabong
Under section 22 of the SES Act people are directed as follows:
- Leave the emergency area
- Do not enter the emergency area
River using restrictions remain in force for commercial and recreational users as per Transport NSW Maritime Gazette:
- 15-knot limit
- No tow
Boat users are reminded that excess wash has the potential to compromise river levees that are currently protecting communities.
