Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) Levees Intermediate Remediation project
The LMRIA Levees Intermediate Remediation project is jointly funded by the Australian and South Australian governments, through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The project will return sections of government and privately owned levees that were significantly damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood event to their pre-flood height.
The Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA), located between Mannum and Wellington in South Australia, is protected by 27 agricultural levees that span 107 km.
During the 2022-2023 River Murray flood event, 20 of these levees overtopped or breached, causing damage to the levee network and inundating large areas of agricultural land. While immediate stabilisation works were undertaken on the damaged levees as part of short-term flood recovery efforts, the urgent nature of these works meant that levees were not returned to their pre-flood height or condition.
The Intermediate Remediation of the LMRIA Levees project will deliver works that will return the levees’ flood-damaged sections to their pre-flood height, until longer-term engineered solutions can be completed. The works will help to mitigate the effects of high-flow events on agricultural land in the LMRIA and provide primary producers the confidence to fully return to agricultural production, until such time the longer-term engineered solutions can be implemented. The works will also provide further protection and mitigate effects on essential infrastructure assets such as those used for power and water supplies, and wastewater and transport routes that are protected by the levees.
For more information, view the Intermediate remediation of the LMRIA levees fact sheet.
Project news and updates
28 March 2025 update
- On-ground remediation works have been completed at Pompoota, Long Flat, Wall Flat, Mypolonga and Burdett.
- Works are continuing to progress at the Mobilong and Neeta levee banks, with Mobilong expected to be completed by early May. On-ground works at Cowirra are anticipated to commence in late May.
- The scoping and procurement for works on private levees and the preparation of associated land access agreements with landholders are progressing.
- The department is reviewing the geotechnical assessment reports which were recently received.
Government levees closed to the public
Government levees requiring intermediate remediation works will remain closed until works are progressively completed and safe access is determined, which is likely to be mid-2025.
Any government levee not requiring intermediate remediation work will also remain closed, pending a full condition and safety risk assessment to ensure they are safe for public access.
Government levee banks:
- Cowirra
- Neeta
- Wall Flat
- Pompoota
- Mypolonga
- Mobilong
- Burdett
- Long Flat
- Monteith
- Jervois
Activities not permitted on closed levees
Recreation activities are not permitted on the levees while they are closed. This includes:
- walking and running
- cycling
- fishing
- driving vehicles
- mooring houseboats and other vessels.
Information about designated council houseboat mooring sites can be obtained from the relevant local council website.
Access to private levees is at the landholder’s discretion, however, access is not permitted where remediation works are being undertaken.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance and the community will be kept informed of the project's progress, including when levees may be accessible to the public, via this page and the LMRIA Levee Newsletter.
If you have any questions, please contact Lisa van der Linde, Communications and Engagement Officer on 0437 313 087 or Lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au
Contact us
DEW Communications and Engagement team
DEW.WIOCommunications@sa.gov.au
Lisa van der Linde, Communications and Engagement Officer
Lisa.vanderlinde@sa.gov.au T | 0437 313 087
What is the Intermediate Remediation of the LMRIA Levees project?
The Australian and State governments are jointly funding a program of intermediate remediation works for LMRIA levees that were damaged in the 2022-23 River Murray flood event. These works will return the significantly flood-damaged sections of the government and privately owned LMRIA levees to their pre-flood height.
The intermediate remediation works are an interim measure until longer-term repair or rebuild options can be developed through the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy, which will be developed by DEW.
Why are we undertaking cultural heritage surveys?
Any land, developed or undeveloped, may contain Aboriginal sites and/or objects of significance to Aboriginal archaeology, anthropology, tradition and history. These sites and objects can relate to Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and ceremonial activities, living patterns and burials and the use of environmental resources such as water, animals, plants and stone.
A key provision of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (SA) is Section 23, which states that it is an offence to damage or disturb Aboriginal heritage. By undertaking cultural heritage surveys, potential significant sites or artefacts can be identified, and potential damage avoided through mitigation measures.
What is the purpose of the full condition assessments?
Full condition assessments of the levees will assess the extent of damage sustained during the 2022-23 River Murray flood event, as well as the levees’ current structural integrity and general functional performance. The assessment consists of 2 phases of site-based activities, including a visual levee inspection followed by further investigations and testing. The outcomes of these assessments will inform the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy.
What is the LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy?
The LMRIA Levee Resilience Investment Strategy will make recommendations on longer-term repair and/or rebuild approaches for levees, including a proposed minimum design specification. The strategy will be informed by outcomes of the condition assessments of the levees.
What is the LMRIA Levee Governance and Management Strategy?
The LMRIA Levee Governance and Management Strategy, will make recommendations on longer-term arrangements for the ownership, management, and maintenance of the LMRIA levees. This strategy will be developed in consultation with key stakeholders including irrigation trusts and landholders in the LMRIA.
When will levee banks be open for public access and recreational activities?
Following the 2022-23 River Murray flood event, the Government of South Australia’s focus in the LMRIA has been to stabilise the levee banks (both government and privately owned), to support the recovery of areas used for primary production that were inundated during the flood.
Where intermediate remediation works are required for government levees, they will remain temporarily closed until works are progressively completed and safe access is determined, which is likely to be mid-2025. Any government-owned levee banks not requiring intermediate remediation works will remain temporarily closed pending the outcome of condition assessments and a safety risk assessment to ensure they are safe for public access.
Why is the Department for Infrastructure and Transport working on the project?
As a state infrastructure agency, DIT will manage the construction works, including procurement of contractors. This is a requirement for publicly funded construction works that have a value of more than $15 million. DEW will manage the overarching program, including stakeholder communication and engagement and the development of the 2 longer-term LMRIA levee strategies.
More information
River Murray flows
Improving Levee Bank Management project
This project focuses on improving levee bank management by delivering a statewide policy and proposing regulatory reform, while continuing work in priority catchments including the Gawler River and River Murray.
As, LMRIA levee banks are not included in the project due to the scale of investment required, the Intermediate Remediation of LMRIA Levees project will focus on these.
