After calling for improved services for decades, residents in far north South Australia will have access to a barge that can take livestock across the Cooper Creek when it floods.
The announcement from the state government comes weeks after floodwater cut off the Birdsville Track and isolated communities from services, livestock markets and tourist revenue.
A single-vehicle barge that previously operated at the crossing, just outside Etadunna, was taken to Maree for servicing by the Department of Infrastructure and Transport two years ago, and was not replaced before April’s forecast flooding event.
Huge flows along the Cooper Creek isolate communities. (Supplied: WrightsAir)
The communities surrounding Cooper Creek have been isolated since June 26 and could be cut off by flooding for up to eight months.
Some communities can be cut off for 18 to 24 months in total during consecutive years of flooding.
Mungerannie Hotel owner Andrew Norman has had to close his doors to tourists.
He said the government should have acted sooner.
Communities can be isolated for 18 to 24 months in total during consecutive years of flooding. (Supplied: WrightsAir)
“It [a flood] was always going to happen again, whether it be 2025 or 2030,” he said.
“[They] should have been prepared for it earlier … but they’ve come through with a good result.”
The government has purchased the new $27 million barge, and Mr Norman is preparing to welcome tourists back.
He said he was hoping to recoup some profit, after initially anticipating a loss of 80 to 90 per cent of his annual revenue.
The Mungerannie Hotel is only selling fuel and has closed its doors to tourists for the season. (Supplied: Andrew Norman)
“The season’s probably half gone … but I’d hope that we’re back at 50 per cent at least,” he said.
Pastoralists celebrate
Livestock SA chair and pastoralist at Lambina Station in the state’s far north, Gillian Fennell, welcomed the announcement for the critical route.
“It is the most direct route to get livestock down into Adelaide and into other states,” she said.
“It keeps people’s businesses running and also allows them to continue operating as normal.”
Gillian Fennell says the barge will keep businesses running. (ABC News: Steven Schubert)
The federal and state governments have funded the barge under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Additional grants are available for eligible primary producers who have suffered direct damage from the flood event.
Sharon Oldfield (right) says more must be done to improve access to markets during floods. (ABC News: Lauren Waldhuter)
Cowarie Station owner Sharon Oldfield’s family has fought for a barge capable of transporting livestock for generations.
Ms Oldfield said a combination of media attention, social media, the scale of the floods and access to more accurate data from the SES helped mobilise the government.
She said the next step was to ensure that the necessary roadworks were undertaken before the barge arrived.
“That’s the most critical factor now,” she said.
“We don’t have a clear estimate yet of when it’ll be operational, but we’re really hoping that it’ll be operational by the end of August in time for the Birdsville Races.”
Sections of the Nappa Merrie Bridge were washed away during the record floods earlier this year. (Supplied: Penny Kothe)
Department of Infrastructure and Transport chief executive Jon Whelan said contractors north and south of the crossing point had already been contacted.
He said preparatory road works would take about three to four weeks to complete and should begin by the end of July or early August at the latest.
