A significant section of Sturt Reserve is now closed to vehicles and public access, as Murray River flows reach their peak.

Temporary fencing has been put in place to limit access to the inundated sections of Sturt Reserve to ensure public safety.

Mayor Wayne Thorley said the Council had kept access to Sturt Reserve open as long as possible by incrementally extending closures as water levels rose, but it had now reached a point where more significant closures were required.

“Flooding brings unfamiliar dangers, that for many of us are not a part of our lived experience, and people sometimes get frustrated because the reasons for road closures are not always obvious,” he said.

“Oversaturation due to sustained high river flows can cause affected ground to become unstable - early warning signs like trees falling over alert us to the danger, while other unseen dangers can lurk below the surface of floodwaters such as slumping and sharp objects.

“So while the reason for a road closure may not be immediately obvious, please keep in mind there is often a lot more going on below the surface of the water and the surrounding environment that is not always visible to the untrained eye.

“Keeping people safe remains our number one priority during this flood event – so it’s vital that people pay attention to road closure signs and follow the advice of emergency service professionals and Council workers.”

The Council’s recovery planning is already underway to progressively clean and reopen Sturt and other riverfront reserves after floodwaters recede and inspections deem it safe for public access once again.

A full list of Council services and facilities impacted by rising water levels is available on The Rural City of Murray Bridge website and updates are posted to the Council’s Facebook page.

For all other flood related enquiries call the River Murray Flood Info Line on 1800 362 361 or visit ses.gov.au

Caption: Road closed at Sturt Reserve.