As South Australia’s river communities approach the first anniversary of the major flood event which devastated thousands of homes and businesses, the region is imploring holiday-makers to return. 

Key points:

  • River Murray businesses are hoping for a boom in trade these holidays
  • Some communities are still in recovery after the 2022/23 floods
  • Authorities are reminding visitors to to look out for snags and debris in the river

The 2022/23 River Murray floodwaters have long since receded, the debris is gone and the water again looks inviting as the weather heats up, but for many residents, the financial burden of that disaster still runs deep.

The townships of Cadell, Morgan, Paisley and Blanchetown are still in recovery, but eager to welcome visitors back with open arms, hoping for a spike in summer support.

Cadell general store proprietor Deborah Bergen said her business shot up during the flood because of the increase in people coming to see the massive body of water for themselves.

Deborah Bergen says visitor numbers dropped as the River Murray’s water levels did, but she hopes for a more foot traffick over summer. (ABC Riverland: Sophie Holder)

“It certainly dropped off [once] the river level dropped back and lots of campgrounds are still closed,” she said.

“But with the nicer weather, people are starting to drive through more, whether it’s with their camper trailers to stay … or heading upstream somewhere else.

“I hope we get lots of people this weekend and we’ll trade a bit later [into the evening] to provide people with things like water and ice, [because] you need a beer while you’re up here.”

Reigniting Murray memories

Further downstream in Morgan, the foot traffic was already building earlier in the week, with dozens of people flocking to the town’s two local watering holes.

Many homes and shacks were impacted by the flood and the clean up still continues in some areas.(Supplied: Cody Campbell)

“I’m hoping [the holidays are] going to be busy, because COVID-19 and then the flood — it was a quiet time [for a while],” Commercial Hotel owner Keith Bovingdon said.

Victorian tourist Warwick Mozina was one of the many caravanners on the road, passing through the river town after stopping closer to the SA border the day before.

Local hotel owner Keith Bovingdon is keen to see people back.(ABC Riverland: Sophie Holder)

“We were actually in Renmark in November last year and we knew the flood was going to hit because the caravan park was preparing at the time,” he said.

“But we liked the area so much we’ve come back.”

Sowjana Alwa managed the Morgan Friendly Grocer during COVID-19 and floods. (ABC Riverland: Anita Ward)

The town’s local grocery store manager, Sowjana Alwa, said she hoped the holiday season was the start of a more sustainable trading period for the region.

“December and Christmas [were] not good and even now we are struggling, because the shackies are not around here,” she said.

“We talk to the other businesses and the caravan park said bookings were really good this long weekend … we are already seeing a few people around.”

In Paisley, the co-owner of a local winery, Greg Salter, said he expected a rise in foot traffic over the school holidays, despite two of the three local caravan parks still being out of action.

Greg Salter and his family have been in the Blanchetown area for generations and hopes to see a community revival after the flood.(ABC Riverland: Sophie Holder)

“Everyone got a little scare with the [recent] high water again, but that’s going down now,” he said.

“It should be good … the weather’s warming up and people are getting out and about.”

Mid Murray Council Mayor Simone Bailey said there had been a mammoth clean-up effort over the past 12 months, but advised people to put safety first around the river.

“There’s still snags under the water you can’t see, so take it easy, but have some fun,” she said.