River Murray Flood

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services) (15:35): The community spirit of the Riverland has never been in doubt at times of need. People are obviously drawn in any way to help how they can with whatever skills they can. This was particularly evident last week, when I visited the area to see firsthand the preparations that were underway for the floods.

Like many, having spent holidays on the river myself over the years, I have certainly enjoyed the hospitality it has to offer and have a sincere affection for that region. Like many, I am concerned about how the floodwaters will impact on the local communities. As we drove in, the water levels were already notably high. There were power poles with water halfway up where roads normally are visible all the way up to Renmark and picnic tables with just the tabletop showing. It is really shocking to consider what the next month is going to look like.

I want to thank Leanne from the Housing Authority, who took time out of her busy schedule to take me on a tour of housing expected to be flooded. I saw new levees being built, some of them with compounded clay, that are certainly expected to withstand the water, as well as older levees constructed for the flood of 1956. The flood of 1956 remains a constant point of reference: if you live in the Riverland, you either experienced it or you have heard stories about it. The stories are real, raw and hard to imagine and were from a time when we really did not have any opportunity to ensure that people were aware or given time to prepare.

There are so many people working to ensure that those who are going to need help or have needed help are getting as much as they can. Those who were sleeping on the riverbanks, sleeping rough, are being assisted. They have been informed of the upcoming danger, and dozens of them have been housed. There are very few people now sleeping rough in the Riverland area. The homelessness provider is ac.care, working in collaboration with Housing SA to ensure the best possible outcomes. Organisations are working with not only those currently homeless but also those at risk, ensuring that they are aware if they are in a flood-prone area.

The benefit we have on this occasion is advance notice. The emergency relief centre opened today, and I have every confidence in the team behind it. Last week, they were very much all systems go in setting up that centre. The staff were very calm and assured, and they made me feel very safe. I have no doubt they will pass this sense of security onto those coming through the doors in the months ahead.

This is not their first rodeo. Many of them have been here before one way or another, be it through flood, fire or other community emergency, not just here but interstate. These are the teams that are activated to help all across Australia. They are there to support locals who are scared and those who are unsure, possibly sometimes just with a cup of tea and a conversation, a reassuring space to feel safe. If people do have questions on how any aspect is to be managed, someone will have looked into it, not when they were asked but in the past few months. Ideas have been discussed, plans have been made, and locals are at the heart of these plans and actively involved in the consultation.

Due to the local information, opportunities to assist our most vulnerable have been identified. The pre-emptive work does give me great confidence, and I hope it gives those living in the area some confidence too at this time. Peter at Foodbank is just one of those locals. Noting the subtle detail of the cans being donated are not ring-pull, the thing is that if you find yourself needing assistance and you are not in your home you probably do not have a can opener, so having cans with a ring-pull is very helpful.

The kind of forethought and consideration Peter is showing will make a difference. He makes a difference. He was proud to show me all the hampers that have been prepared and delivered, and he talked about those that are coming up there, not just standard food hampers but also the Christmas hampers that are already coming up. Thank you, Peter and the team.

The message is clear: the flood is coming and you are in a high-risk area. Please make a plan to preserve your life and your property, as you can. Use this time now to make sure that you and your loved ones are safe. If you are impacted, know that the Malinauskas Labor government is here to assist with that emergency relief centre, emergency accommodation, counselling, food relief and a range of grants. My heart goes out to our colleagues and friends in the Riverland and the Murray Mallee. I will be visiting regularly, as needed, to listen and to ensure that anything else that needs to be offered can be offered.