Maywald to lead recovery effort
In the wake of the Adelaide Hills bushfires, former Rann Government minister Karlene Maywald has been appointed to lead the recovery.
Maywald, who served as Minister for Water, steps into the job as communities across a large area of the state prepare for flooding rains just a day after the bushfires were brought under control.
“Karlene brings valuable skills and experience to this important role including having been one of the duty ministers in the wake of the Eyre Peninsula fires a decade ago,” Communities and Social Inclusion Minister Zoe Bettison said today.
“She will have lead responsibility for coordinating the State Government’s recovery response, working closely with the local community and across the three tiers of government and the non-government sector to ensure that services are coordinated and responsive.
“The recovery phase is about helping people and communities get back on their feet, addressing community health and wellbeing as well as damage to infrastructure, the economy and environment.”
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Flood Watch for the North West and North East pastoral districts, the Flinders, Mid North, Mount Lofty Ranges, Riverland, Murraylands and Upper South East for today.
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Duty forecaster Sam Conner said people in areas affected by the Adelaide Hills bushfires should be particularly attentive to possible flooding.
“If you’re in a low-lying area, you should probably keep an eye out for any streams that start flowing,” she said.
“Around the fire site in particular, there’s no vegetation there to hold any water back.
“That’s one of the places where we could get the run-off really quickly.”
A Severe Weather Warning is also current for an area around half the size of the state. It applies to people in the Flinders, North West Pastoral, North East Pastoral and parts of the Eastern Eyre Peninsula and Mid North districts.
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A rain band will develop over northern parts of the State today, extending over the ranges and eastern districts tomorrow and Sunday.
Despite the forecast rainfall, Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo said he expected firefighting operations to continue in the coming weeks.
The Sampson Flat fire area will continue to be monitored for hotspots and flare ups.
“I remind the public that there is still danger on the fire ground,” Piccolo said.
“Falling trees continue to pose a threat and crews will continue to work in the area.”
SA Water yesterday released a statement saying all mains water was safe to drink, despite the threat to water quality posed by ash from the bushfires washing into reservoirs.
“The main reservoir that has been impacted by the fires is Millbrook, however this reservoir was not being used prior to the fires and will be kept offline in the short term,” said General Manager Operations and Maintenance, Mark Gobbie.
“SA Water customers who would normally receive water sourced from Millbrook Reservoir are currently being supplied with water sourced from the Mannum to Adelaide pipeline, which is treated at the Anstey Hill Water Treatment Plant.
“We have a flexible water supply network across Adelaide, which allows us to source water from other locations should there be any issues.”
Those wanting to donate to the Sampson Flat Bushfire Relief Appeal can call the Recovery Hotline on 1800 302 787 or visit the state government’s recovery website.
People can also register to volunteer for the recovery effort at the Volunteering SA/NT website.
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