SWAN HILL’s flood threat has eased, but the high Murray River level is still disruptive and a potential risk.
Because of it’s swollen state organisers have postponed Sunday’s Beat the Boat Fun Run and it has deterred the M.V.Kookaburra cruise vessel’s owners from operating until the risk subsides.
Meanwhile Rural Water Corporation customers in the Goulburn Murray region who have suffered flood damage may be eligible to defer their rates payment.
The river level will continue to fall slowly during this week and over the weekend remained at the moderate flood level of 4.6m.
Sate Emergency Service acting regional officer in Swan Hill James Gustus said the Murray would fall slowly.
“The Wakool River seems to have taken much of the flow as anticipated,” Mr Gustus said.
“It was leading towards this. The river had gone down too far and we weren’t expecting a big threat,” Mr Gustus said.
Tyntynder Flats Flood Management Committee coordinator Ron Atkinson said he would only feel completely at ease when the river level receded far enough.
He said that while the river remained high, adverse weather and strong winds would topple a tree growing out of soft levee banks.
Mr Atkinson said the river remained “six feet above ground level” along the Tyntynder flats and a constant vigil was still needed.
“Everything’s pretty stable at present,” he said.
Sunday’s Beat the Boat Fun Run has been postponed as a result of the high river levels.
Swan Hill Promotion and Development Corporation festivals director Julie Krizmanic said the fun run would now be held on November 29.
“It gives us another four weeks to collect entries and for teams to be organised to enter the event,” she said.
People seeking further information in the fun run should contact the corporation offices on 32-3645.
M.V.Kookaburra captain Bill Hogg said the vessel had been given permission to operate on a section of the river, but was restricted to cruise between Murray Downs Lodges and Kellys Clump, a distance of some 4km.
However, Capt. Hogg was declined to run.
“Although our vessel environmentally friendly with a very small wash, I feel any chance of creating a breach in any levee bank would be unforgivable and contrary to the economy of the area,” Capt Hogg said.
“As every day goes by we are losing revenue and at the same time disappointing a lot of people who have booked the vessel,” he said.
“We have a long-term strategy in Swan Hill and we will support the public and hopefully the will support us,” he said.
Corporation Goulburn Murray region manager Brian Carr said the corporation was very aware of the detrimental effects of the recent major flooding to a large number of its customers.
“The Goulburn Murray Regional Managemetn Board has urgently considered the issue and has resolved that those customers who can show financial hardship as a result of flooding events may have the interest-free period for the payment of current rate accounts extended from October 26. 1993 to December 31, 1993,” Mr Carr said.
“The RWF will assess cases on an individual basis and any arbitration required will be carried out by the Water Services Committee in whose area the landowner’s property is located.
“The RWC will attempt to recover its revenue losses and the cost of emergency repairs to its infrastructure from government disaster funds,” Mr Carr said.
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