RFS Mitigation Paul Huntingford, Oolong Fire Fighter Bruce Atkinson, Braidwood RFS Mitigation crew Tom Alder and Andrew O’Brien, Taralga RFS volunteer Rory Smith and McCleans Beach Holiday Park owner Jacquie Mealing.
Every effort is being made to protect Deniliquin’s McLean Beach Caravan Park from total inundation.
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The only local caravan park at risk of today’s predicted 8.8m river height, feverish sandbagging and levee reinforcement was taking place yesterday in anticipation.
Edward River Council has said the caravan park’s levee is usually rated to 8.6m but has been improved to withstand 8.8m.
It is the only caravan park in Deniliquin significantly impacted by river heights under 9m.
While the expectation is the levee will be high enough to prevent significant flooding, particularly as the level has been revised back from 9m, park owner Jacquie Mealing said said there is still a concern it may buckle under the pressure of high volumes of water.
Normally based in the Hunter Region looking after her horse stud, she made sure to be in Deniliquin ahead of the rise to support her staff and the “community place” that is home to many local families and frequent visitors.
Levee reinforcement at the caravan park was initially planned for the weekend, but there was a delay in getting sandbags delivered.
Ten pallets were delivered early yesterday, and along with it a crew of Rural Fire Service members to help put them in place.
Ten pumps are now also in constant use to help keep the water at bay.
The park’s team expressed thanks to Deni Sand and Soil and Riverina Watermatic for their assistance, as well as emergency services.
“And I would like to thank Edward River Council, and in particular Mark Dalzell,” Ms Mealing said.
“We feel well supported and he is doing an exceptional job.”
Park management said while the support from the community has been vital, they did say it was becoming too dangerous for community volunteers to lend assistance.
"The levee has become so muddy and slippery, and we ask that people avoid the area where possible,“ the management team said.
The flood waters inundating park cabins.
The sandbags in place keeping the rising water at bay.
Sandbags along the walk that runs beside the park and the back entrance to the park.
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