VIRGINIA horticulture farmers are worried development near the Gawler River could increase the severity of flooding in the event of wild weather.

Housing developer Walker is in the early stages of building its $2 billion, residential development at Buckland Park, west of Port Wakefield Road.

According to Walker it will be known as “Riverlea Park”, and is set to establish 12,000 homes in the area and create 10,000 jobs.

Currently construction work at the site calls for dirt and soil to be stockpiled, with mounds close to the Gawler River causing concern for local farmers.

In 2016, a significant flood ravaged communities close to the Gawler River, including farmers on the Adelaide Plains who lost $40 million in crops.

Among other damage, Port Wakefield Road, near Angle Vale Road, was flooded as stormwater failed to flow across the highway and towards the coast.

Virginia farmer Rocco Catanzariti said the dirt mounds could disrupt the flow of the river and see floodwaters pushed back towards the Virginia township in the event of a severe weather event.

He also believed many of the dirt mounds were being compacted, rather than just stockpiled.

“If it does break, there are a lot of mounds which are compacted that will hold the water back and disturb the natural flow of the water,” he said.

“If it flooded like it did in 2016, it would come over the (Port Wakefield) road here and it (the dirt) would stop it running out here, where it would normally run.

“It would build up higher and could potentially flood the township. The lowest point is the township so it would go there.”

Mr Catanzariti added local farmers could not afford another major flood like 2016, with many still counting the cost of that event four years later.

“You rebuild and you move on, but it doesn’t have to happen that way. There’s plenty of things that can be done to stop it,” he said.

“People are only just getting back up from 2016 now. When you have a full crop planted, it takes you years because that stuff is just all lost.”

Playford councillor and Virginia resident Peter Rentoulis also voiced his concern, saying council and developers should continue to be guided by locals in regards to the volatile river.

“You’ve got people like Rocco and his family who are practically more in tune with what happens here,” he said.

“They’ve been through it and we need to listen to them.”

Development approval was granted in August 2019 to the project, after close to a decade of prior planning.

According to Walker, it consulted with council, the State Government and local farmers during the development’s planning process and the final development would incorporate flood mitigation strategies.

Walker Corporation senior development manager Ben Moore said the company had its soil plans approved by Playford Council.

“The earthworks at Riverlea are being carried out in accordance with our approval from Playford Council,” he said.

“Walker will continue to work closely with Playford Council, the community and SA Government to deliver careful investment in essential infrastructure.”

In a statement, Playford Council confirmed it had been contacted by residents concerned with Walker’s soil maintenance practices, but checks in March showed they were up to council standards.