Authorities are scrambling to respond to ongoing flood damage in South Australia.
A temporary barge will be deployed on the Cooper Creek as floodwaters cut off critical outback infrastructure in the state’s north-east, with governments moving to restore access and support recovery in remote communities.
The barge will provide essential transport across the inundated Cooper Creek Crossing along the Birdsville Track, a key freight and livestock route in the region.
The Australian and South Australian Governments are jointly funding the measure under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Sustained flooding has followed intense rainfall across Queensland’s inland catchments, with the Cooper Creek peaking at Innamincka in April – surpassing levels recorded during the height of its 1974 flood.
Access to outback communities remains severely disrupted, and floodwaters have caused significant damage to key infrastructure.
The barge will use modular pontoons to allow vehicle crossings and livestock movements, and to maintain essential supply chains. It will also support community access and tourism while damage assessments and repairs are undertaken across flood-affected road networks.
“Significant damage has also been reported to critical infrastructure, presenting exceptional challenges for both industry and community,” official statements say.
In addition to physical access solutions, a support package has been activated to assist regional economic recovery, including Primary Producer Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 for clean-up, repair and rebuilding, targeted at flood-affected farms.
There is also a $680,000 Community Recovery Fund to aid the restoration of public facilities, community events, and small business recovery.
The assistance package reflects the logistical complexities of flood recovery in some of the state’s most remote areas.
The DRFA is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and states and is designed to provide tailored financial assistance in the wake of eligible natural disasters.
Meanwhile, repair works are underway on a series of bridges in the Riverland as part of the State Government’s $40 million plan to fix infrastructure damaged by the 2022-23 River Murray floods.
The Gurra Gurra Creek Bridge, located on Bookpurnong Road, and the River Murray Flood Plain Bridges, located on the Sturt Highway between Renmark and Paringa, will receive scour repairs.
Bridge scour occurs when fast-moving water washes away the dirt and rocks from the bridge’s foundations, creating holes in the piers and abutments, which weakens the bridge.
Repair works will be carried out on the piers and abutments of the Gurra Gurra Creek Bridge and the River Murray Flood Plain Bridges to ensure the stability of the structures and to provide protection against future flooding events.
Floating barriers will also be installed within the Gurra Gurra Creek water course to isolate the work area from water vessels. The adjacent bridge spans will remain open for recreational water activities.
Works will take place from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7am and 5pm, and all works are expected to be completed by mid-November 2025.
