Community rallies to get park open for residents, visitors

Exactly when the park will re-open for its permanent, annual and casual visitors will depend on when this work can be completed.

When the Pastoral Times visited the park this week, more than a week since the floodwaters started to recede, there was still some standing water left in the park.

Water lines at the side of caravans show the water made it at least half way up some and higher on others, with some site holders reporting that mould is growing on water soaked carpets and furniture.

Piles of rubbish are found all over the park as the individual caravan and cabin clean ups begin, with mattresses, couches, household items and other general rubbish needing to be removed.

Normally an oasis for holidaymakers, the stench of stagnant water and rot lingers in the air.

And with the patches of flood stressed lawn and thick layers of dirt and silt, you would be forgiven for thinking a bulldozer had taken to the park.

“We have been under water since November 20, when our levy breached in this flood emergency,” Ms Mealing said.

“Most of the 26 acre site was completely underwater and in some places almost a metre deep.

“We have to be as public as possible, as direct as possible and open, or this place will not exist if we don’t start getting more help.

“I know there are a lot of busy people out there doing an amazing job. I don’t care where the help comes from, we just need it now.”

Ms Mealing said the help was not just about getting the park open again for residents and visitors, but to also reduce the health impacts on the community.

“In the heat of summer, this vast area of mosquito breeding stagnate water sits less than 50 metres from a public hospital and the rest of town, presenting a freak health risk.

“The longer the water sits in the site the greater the damage done.”

Ms Mealing made an initial plea for help last week, and as a result has received further assistance from Edward River Council, the SES and the community at large.

Previously only having access to small pumps which barely made a dent in the standing water, a larger pump has been provided to get the water off quicker.

The park is now in the clean up and re-build phase with residents assessing damage and starting their clean up.

To assist in this process, local tradies have been assisting by restoring services.

But Ms Mealing said there is still a way to go before the six permanent residents who call the park home and 196 annuals can return to stay.

Many are yet to assess the damage and start clean up.

“Of the 196 annuals, only 15 won’t be returning and we already have requests from new customers wanting a site,” she said.

“I would like to thank the SES - they have been simply superb.

“Also to Edward River Council who have agreed to re-fit the amenities blocks, office and kiosk and re-build the school house which provides four bedroom luxury accommodation in the park and was severely damaged by a fallen tree.

“A special mention to (council director technical services) Mark Dalzell who has been here doing what he can to get us back up and running.

“To our residents and the community at large, we are very grateful for your support and we are looking forward to our park returning to the fantastic hub of activity it usually is to locals and visitors alike.”

Looking to the future, Ms Mealing and Mr Hodge say once the park’s levee bank has been restabilised after this flood they intend to implement a regular monitoring program.

They also hope that all aspects of the flood disaster are looked at and reviewed to ensure that devastation of this scale does not occur again.

Ms Mealing said the park should re-open early in the new year, but she said it would need to be done in stages based on which areas can be made safe first.

While McLean Beach continues to work toward reopening, other local accommodation providers are thankfully open for business ahead of the festive season.

While some still have flood repairs of their own to undertake, they have some areas already safe for occupancy.

At BIG 4 Holiday Park Deniliquin, owner Frank White said the park’s levee and sandbagging efforts held and kept much of the floodwater at bay.

“The lower camping area went under, as it has previously, but the water has now left that area and we hope to have the river front campsites available in the New Year.

“The park still has some vacancies here and there.

“Once the river is available for skiing and other water activities we will be back in full swing.”

According to Deniliquin Riverside Caravan Park’s social media pages, its lower sections will be out of action until clean up efforts can be completed.

But the cabins, which were moved and therefore saved from inundation, will be put back in place in the coming weeks.

The Pioneer Tourist Park was also impacted with owner Sue Williams saying they had “minor effects only thanks to sandbagging efforts”.

“We had to sandbag the pool and our permanent residents’ courtyard, and the sandbags limited the damage to those areas,” she said.

“Trade has been slower, especially the caravans we normally have visit.

“The dire condition of the roads due to the floods would be a strong factor in their reluctance to travel,” she said.

Deni Golf Resort was not subject to inundation from the floods, but was forced to close when it became surrounded by floodwaters.

Access to the resort was severed with the closing of the Deniliquin Memorial Park flood gates, which owners Iain and Debbi Goodway said had a significant economic impact.

“We were locked out of our home and business for six to seven weeks, with a huge loss of business,” Mr Goodway said.

“We are now back up and running and excited to have had a good response so far with business picking up quickly.”

The Edward River at Deniliquin peaked at 9.18m on November 22, and started to receded in the days following.

At the time of going to print yesterday, the river was 5.85m and still dropping about 20cm per day.