Regulator remnants discovered at Lake Bonney inlet

Berri Barmera Council recently began dredging Chambers Creek on behalf of the State Government to remove leftover levee from the 2022/23 River Murray Flood when a significant block of concrete was found.
The concrete is believed to be remnants from the Millennium drought regulator, which was thought to have been removed in 2010.
Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall said the discovery of the leftover concrete was confirmation of what many locals already knew.
“In 2011, a previous State Government Minister wrote to Council and advised that after comprehensive inspection, no remains of the temporary regulators concrete base were present,” she said.
In April 2024, Council agreed to excavate the remnants 2022/23 River Murray Flood levee from Chambers Creek.
As part of that motion, Council resolved to “advocate to the State Government to include the removal of the remnant concrete structure remaining from the Millennium Drought as part of the scope of works”.
“Council listened to the community and flagged this potential issue with the State Government, however I don’t think anyone expected the degree of concrete left in the creek,” Mayor Winnall said.
“It’s not some small chunks, it’s a very large slab of concrete.
“How waterways are managed is not a decision for Council. However, the community – and the State Government themselves – deserve to be operating with the facts at hand when considering the management of Lake Bonney.”
Mayor Winnall said trust in the government was “crucial”.
“We know how important trust in government is in the delivery of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, therefore it’s a reminder to State and Federal Governments about the importance of facts and transparency when working with communities,” she said.
“Having this resolved is a step in the right direction in restoring some trust for our community.”

Following discussions, the State Government will remove the concrete remnants, with the Department of Environment and Water advising that this work will likely occur in winter 2025 when the risk of the work causing a blue-green algae is reduced.
“We sincerely thank the current State Government for being proactive in responding as they became aware of the situation and look forward to the inlet being restored to pre-Millennium drought conditions,” Mayor Winnall said.
“As a Council, we will continue to advocate to state and federal governments for Lake Bonney and its surrounds in drought, flood and every day in between.”