Back on the water as river restrictions lifted

LOCALS and visitors in areas of the Riverland will once again be able to access the River Murray after some restrictions related to the current flood event were lifted. 

SAPOL yesterday announced people in River Murray zones A, B and C – from the SA border to Overland Corner – could now operate a motorised vessel as river heights begin to decrease. 

Jet-skis are permitted to be used at a speed under 10 knots, without towing a person from the vessel, and fishing and yabbying from motorised boats is allowed. The operation of houseboats remains excluded, however. . 

River users also remain unable to: 

• go within 50m upstream of, or under, the Paringa Bridge
• go within 1100m of the Ral Ral Bridge,
• exceed a speed of 4 knots within 250m of a levee, or within 250m from the location of any dwelling or buildings, where it is partially or wholly submerged.

A SAPOL spokesperson advised "only those with a permitted purpose are able to operate a human powered vessel, swim, bathe or dive in the river, or operate a houseboat or pontoon boat", 

"(Everyone) must wear a lifejacket equivalent to a level 50 standard or above if in the open area of a vessel of up to 12m in length," the spokesperson said. 

A full list of permitted activities and restrictions can be found by visiting the SAPOL website (www.sa.gov.au/topics/emergencies-and-safety/river-murray-flood/restrictions).