GAWLER River farmers have been told to brace for potential flooding in October and November, forcing late changes to producers’ planting plans.
The Bunyip understands farmers have been told over recent weeks to make plans for a possible flooding event, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a wetter-than-normal October and November.
In September 2016, floodwaters inundated the Gawler township and caused around $50 million in crop damage along the river in what was considered a once-in-a-decade flooding event.
Virginia farmer Dino Musolino saw much of his land flooded in 2016 and he, along with many other growers, are still feeling the effects.
The flooding threat has seen him abort plans to plant crops in low-lying land prone to flooding, meaning he will need to spend time and money reconditioning used soil on higher land.
“Where we were ready to plant this week into a low-lying area that was flooding in 2016, we’ve now changed our plan,” Mr Musolino said.
“We’re going to do some initial soil conditioning to plant our crops on the high land and go back to that lower land after that risk period.
“It’s much more expensive because we now need to recondition the soil, whereas normally with resting the soil it conditions itself.”

Mr Musolino added his access to higher land makes him one of the lucky ones, as many smaller producers have no alternative options when considering a flood threat.
“For those farmers who are predominantly greenhouse farmers and have one allotment – what do they do?” he said.
“Do they take the risk and plant and see what happens? Or do they not plant and then have no income?
“Unfortunately, for them it will be damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”
According to the BOM’s most recent climate outlook, there is a 53 per cent chance of at least 50mm of rain falling in the Gawler region across October and a six per cent chance of 100mm hitting the area, with South Australia and the eastern states expected to receive “above average” rainfalls.
BOM senior hydrologist Annette Barton said it would take an extreme weather event for the river to flood, but it is possible such a scenario could arise.
She added both the South Para Dam and Bruce Eastick Flood Mitigation Dam – connected to the North Para River – are both at around 50 per cent capacity, meaning a severe downpour would be needed to cause a flood.
“Because the dams are low and because the catchments are very dry, there’s not a high potential for flooding if you put those things together,” she said.
“In the next few weeks there’s a low chance of flooding, but if we were to get a fairly significant weather event that may change the scene.
“If we were to get 100mm of rain in a day-or-two, then that would change things.”

THE State Emergency Service (SES) has given its tips for farmers looking to protect their property during a flood event.
• Be flood-aware by talking with your neighbours about previous flooding in your area. Your industry association and local council may also be able to help.
• Do you have flood insurance? Does it provide an appropriate level of cover?
• Some roads may be impassable, so consider the need to use alternative routes. Have a plan B. You could be swept away and drown if you drive, ride or walk through floodwater. It takes only 15 centimetres of floodwater to float a small car.
• Raising electrical equipment and other valuable items, such as drums of chemicals, onto benches or tables will ensure they are not damaged or float away.
• Sandbags can help protect your home, equipment and vehicle sheds, electrical pumps and other equipment on your property. These may be distributed through the SES.
• Having an emergency kit will ensure you have critical items readily to hand if you need to move quickly. A template can be found on the SES website www.ses.sa.gov.au. A list of emergency contact numbers is also handy.
• Monitoring the local media, SES website and social media channels for flood updates will ensure you are fully informed about what is happening in your area.
• Following a flood, gas or electrical appliances should not be used until they have been checked by a qualified tradesperson.
• The SES is the response agency for flooding. It can be contact by calling 132 500. If the matter is life threatening you should call 000 (Triple Zero).