Riverland

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the Riverland.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The Riverland has suffered negatively from recent media reporting related to high river flows. As the minister responsible for regional development, can the minister update the house about how she is supporting the Riverland community and encouraging South Australians to continue to visit this great region?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:22): I think we are all concerned. I am sure we would all join together in the concerns that we do have for the potential flooding in the Riverland. We certainly are hopeful that the flows will not be such as to cause widespread damage and I know there are a number of plans in place to ensure that that is mitigated.

I refer members to a number of points that are in the ministerial statement that I tabled from the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis in the other place. The Malinauskas government is embarking on a six-week campaign to ensure that the River Murray communities are afforded the best possible protection from floodwaters heading to South Australia.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: It's a shame that those opposite are not interested to hear of the suite of things we have put in place for the Riverland. I hope they will listen to the answer.

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I think some background is certainly in order if people are to understand fully what some of our Riverland communities are facing. The latest modelling by the Department for Environment and Water is predicting flows of up to 120 gigalitres per day.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I can't hear the minister. Please continue.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I can't hear. Please continue.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I would like to be able to hear the answer. Please continue.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: The latest modelling by the Department for Environment and Water is predicting flows of up to 120 gigalitres per day by early December. We have various state agencies, including the South Australian State Emergency Service, SA Police and the Department for Environment and Water, working closely with local government to ensure that the community, businesses and visitors are well prepared for the higher water levels.

Following concerns about levies managed by councils and private landholders being raised by DEW, the government will send a team to the Riverland this week, if it hasn't already done so, to undertake geological surveys of the levies. They will work with councils and private landholders to ensure their levies can offer a level of protection to the community. Agencies are also continually monitoring weather forecasts, projected water flows and any associated risks, and the government will activate the state emergency centre if the risk of flooding increases.

I have certainly heard some of the media from residents and business owners in the Riverland, asking people to continue to visit. One of the caravan parks, I recall, said that they were fully booked for this weekend and encouraged people to be aware of the flooding risks but not to be so concerned as to think that they should not be continuing to support the businesses there. PIRSA has a representative on the Riverland zone emergency support team and that is one other aspect of how we are continuing to support Riverland communities.