REMOVAL of flood waste and debris from the recent Gawler River floods began on farming properties this week.
The October flooding caused more than $50 million worth of damages when the Light River burst its banks and inundated properties in the northern Adelaide Plains.
Broadacre farmers Anthony and Bernadette Smith live at the edge of the Light River at Lower Light.
They experienced flooding for 50 hours, leaving Mrs Smith unable to get home and Mr Smith stuck inside.
“I was stranded at home for three days,” Mr Smith said.
“We’ve had a few floods here, but this was the longest duration of flooding we’ve ever had.”
We’ve had a few floods here, but this was the longest duration of flooding we’ve ever had.
- ANTHONY SMITH
Mr Smith said floods were a regular occurrence, having six in 1992 and several since, but this was the first time the shearing shed had flooded.
A 120-year-old stone wall collapsed after the floodwaters abolished its foundations.
But there was a positive, according to Mr Smith.
“There is some economic gain, as it has benefited our crops,” he said.
The flooding in October coincided with Mr Smith’s birthday, while a previous flood in September arrived on his son’s birthday.
“We’ll hope for no more floods on our birthdays,” he said.
Hundreds of tonnes of flood waste, including destroyed crops, infrastructure and farm chemicals will be removed by PIRSA.
Assessors visited about 200 properties in the floodplain area, including the Smiths’ farm.
PIRSA deputy chief executive Will Zacharin said the floodwaters had caused serious damage.
“The recent storms and flooding have created some serious waste management issues for primary producers across the Gawler River floodplain in the Adelaide Plains Council and City of Playford area,” he said.
“This region is one of our state’s premium production areas, generating more than a third of SA’s horticulture production and accounting for nearly half the state’s vegetable industry jobs.”
“We remind affected primary producers that grants of up to $10,000 are also available to help reimburse costs associated with flood clean-up and recovery work they may have already undertaken,” he said.
The clean up is expected to take several weeks.
- Details: PIRSA 08 8207 7847.
