Joint media release with the Hon Susan Close MP
The clean up along the River Murray is in full swing with more than 1,000 tonnes of refuse already collected from kerbsides in river communities.
The flood event is among the most significant natural disasters in South Australia’s history, with about 4,000 properties being impacted by floodwaters.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments have also worked together to provide hardship and accommodation grants to impacted residents.
Green Industries SA (GISA) is the lead State Government agency for disaster waste management has been coordinating the urgent immediate clean-up activity in affected areas using local contractors.
Major work will now commence under the primary contractor Disaster Management Australia (DMA), a subsidiary of the John Lyng Group, which has led similar flood clean ups in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria
This will see DMA expand the clean-up activity and conduct structural assessments and hazardous waste removal, including the safe removal of asbestos at no cost to property owners.
The option for demolition for properties too severely impacted for repair will also be offered at no cost to property owners.
Property owners registered with GISA will be contacted directly by a representative from DMA about the next steps for their situation and assigned a case manager to work through the process of assessment, removal and make safe activities.
Quick statistics
4,000+ calls to relief and recovery hotline 1,696 registrations for clean-up assistance 935 free waste disposal vouchers issued 1,167.45 tonnes of waste collected 38% sent to landfill 62% of materials collected recycled/reused For more information about property assessments visit Green Industries SA
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt:
The recovery and rebuilding effort is well underway, but we know that it takes time for communities to get back to normal.
We will continue to work with the Malinauskas Government to make sure support is getting to where it’s needed.
It’s not too late for people to apply for assistance, and I’d encourage people to visit the Services Australia and SA Government website to see what’s available.
Quotes attributable to Susan Close:
Using local suppliers and tradespeople, and with the expertise of a nationally recognised leader in disaster waste recovery, residents and businesses along the River Murray can expect to see a lot of activity in the coming weeks.
Since roads became more accessible, local crews have removed more than 1,000 tonnes of waste up and down the River. This includes sand from sandbags to be reused in the rebuilding and repair of the region, and scrap metal that will be reprocessed at an Adelaide facility.
This release was originally published on the Ministers for the Department of Home Affairs' website.