Berri riverfront to be made safer following pontoon removal

Berri’s riverfront will continue to welcome visitors and locals alike, with Berri Barmera Council taking action to ensure the area remains safe and accessible.

In February 2025, the floating pontoon at the Berri riverfront sustained significant damage following impact from a vessel, with the damage so significant that the 25-year-old pontoon is now unsafe and unable to be insured.

Council recently resolved to make the difficult decision to remove the damaged riverfront pontoon after determining it was beyond economic repair.

Berri Barmera Council CEO Tim Pfeiffer said it was a disappointing situation.

“Council understands the community will feel frustrated by the removal of this infrastructure,” he said.

“However, Berri is still home to a great wharf to access the riverbank, with ladders recently installed to enable safe access.

“The wharf is a great community asset and we look forward to river users continuing to pull up along the Berri riverfront.”

Engineering inspections identified extensive structural defects to the floating pontoon and pylons, including cracking, deterioration of key components and failure of connecting elements, rendering the structure unsafe and unsuitable for continued use.

Council received an insurance payout of $96,229 after the insurer determined the pontoon was damaged beyond economic repair. Unfortunately, this insurance payout is insufficient to fund the replacement of the floating pontoon.

Those funds will be used to cover the cost of removing the structure, with the pontoon set to be removed next week.

"We understand many people would like to see a replacement pontoon and we'll pursue grant opportunities as they arise,” Mr Pfeiffer said.

“If external funding becomes available, Council will certainly consider options for reinstating this piece of riverfront infrastructure."