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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2022-11-16 Daily Xml
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Regional Emergency Accommodation

The Hon. H.M. GIROLAMO (14:44): Supplementary: could the minister please verify that she is across the concerns within the Riverland and what involvement she, as Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, has in preparing for what could be quite a challenging event for the Riverland?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:44): Certainly, and I am very happy to do so. Updated modelling has been received in regard to the expected flows, but of course there is a lot of uncertainty and complexity around those forecasts. I am advised that there is a moderate risk of 200 gigalitres per day and a lower chance of the peak rising to 220 gigalitres per day.

There has been a number of cross-jurisdictional task force—I am not sure if that is the correct name—or emergency committees. PIRSA of course is one of those. In terms of the multiple amounts of work that is being done, if I recall correctly I think there are about 16 departments that are involved in the preparations for the flooding event. I am happy to provide information about all of that if members are interested.

While the peak flow is still forecast to arrive in South Australia in early December, it is important to note that the latest information provided indicates that the flows will increase more rapidly than originally anticipated, and there is a flow rate expected near the end of November that will be significantly higher.

I have some information both from the Department for Environment and Water as well as information in regard to the electricity challenges that we are facing, but the current forecast—the information that I have—is that it is likely to be the highest flow to come across the South Australian border since the high flows experienced in the early to mid 1970s, which peaked at 182 gigalitres a day in 1974.

PIRSA has undertaken modelling for various predicted high-level flows to determine the impacts on primary production across the river. At 160 gigalitres a day, pastures, grape vines, vegetables, fruit and nut trees would be most affected, and at this flow rate almost 3,200 hectares would be affected. There will be disruptions to transport routes for people, machinery and transportation for fruit and grain harvesting as a result of road or ferry closures. Alternative routes of course exist but they result in additional travel time and therefore additional cost.

PIRSA has been working with livestock industry partners, specifically SADA and LSA, to ensure livestock are relocated to higher ground in preparation for higher flows. There is concern for cows getting sore feet and mastitis infections due to the potential for cows to be standing in wet soils. There is an elevated risk of Japanese encephalitis virus for pickers, for other casual agricultural workers and susceptible species of animals due to increased mosquito—

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Point of order: relevance. As much as I would like to hear about the agriculture—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: No; the question was about emergency accommodation.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: No; my question was about emergency accommodation.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The Hon. Mr Hunter will come to order. Minister, please conclude your remarks and we can move on.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Thank you, Mr President. I am very disappointed to hear that the opposition is not interested in the cross-government preparedness, despite asking a supplementary question about that. As I was saying, PIRSA is working with SA Health to raise awareness about the risk of Japanese encephalitis and to promote vaccinations.

I have a number of other pieces of information in regard to preparedness, but if the opposition is not interested in hearing it then I don't need to continue. If, however, they are interested in the various preparedness for the multiple sectors and individuals and industries that might be affected, then I am happy to continue. There are elevated risks of blackwater events along the river and, unfortunately, fish kills due to decreased oxygen, and increased particulate matter in the water. PIRSA is leading the SEC—

The Hon. N.J. Centofanti: What are you actually doing about it?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: I'm glad the honourable Leader of the Opposition should ask what are we doing about it. I was just about to say.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: PIRSA is leading the SEC subcommittee on the blackwater risk.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: PIRSA has committed to work with councils and stakeholders—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order, the two leaders!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —on fish kill clean-up and has developed an emergency response plan. PIRSA is collaborating with the Department for Environment and Water to understand the wildlife impacts arising due to the rising water flows, and consideration is being given to activating PIRSA participating organisations such as DEW and SAVEM to address any predicted or identified wildlife issues. PIRSA is also undertaking contingency planning for household pets with participating organisations, including the RSPCA, Animal Welfare and DEW, should emergency evacuations be required.

There is reduced accommodation capacity in the region for fruit pickers and other casual agricultural workers, including casual fruit fly response contractors, due to caravan park and shack flooding. Contingency planning is underway within the Riverland fruit fly response to manage any potential impacts, including road closures, labour shortages, labour access issues and/or the reduced availability of accommodation. PIRSA continues to monitor flow levels—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: It's a shame that those opposite are laughing about preparedness for such a significant event as this high water event. I would have thought some empathy—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: —for those who are experiencing this would have been far more appropriate.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! Interjections are out of order. Minister, please conclude your remarks. This is an important topic for the people of the Riverland, but you have had a fair bit of latitude. I would prefer you to conclude so we can now move on.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN: Certainly. I appreciate your concern, Mr President, for the residents of the Riverland. PIRSA continues to monitor flow levels, adjust predictive models and work with industry partners to manage potential risks.

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