A hydrology report has indicated the proposed Jane Eliza Development will have minimal impact on water levels in the event of future flooding in Renmark and surrounding areas.

Renmark Paringa Council has released the hydrology report, which showcases a range of modelled situations including the 186 gigalitres (GL) recorded in the 2022 flood, a higher 250GL event and the 1956 flood level of 341GL.

The average water increase across Renmark’s levy network (11 sites for measurement) for a 186GL event is 2.3cm.

The increase ranges from 2.7cm to 5.8cm in a 341GL event, which equates less than the size of a AA battery.

Council engaged Tonkin Engineering and Neilly Group to produce the flow modelling data as part of the Code Amendment stage of the Jane Eliza Development.

Renmark Paringa Council Mayor Peter Hunter said the hydrology report shows the Jane Eliza Development will not endanger the township.

“Council has received questions from community members about what the proposed development will mean for the town of Renmark in the event of a high river,” he said.

“These questions are valid off the back of the recent 2022 flood and we have taken these enquiries seriously.

“Council is committed to continuing to communicate the upcoming stages of the project and acknowledges that building trust and understanding around this exciting development is important.”

A preliminary model was conducted as part of the hydrology report, however subsequent reports were required to account for council’s response to a variety of flood events.

The current report is reflective of the conditions that will be in place in the event of future flooding events.

A Neilly Group spokesperson said due to the Jane Eliza Development site taking up such a small amount of the overall floodplain the “overall effects of the proposed development are minimal”.

“Even replicating the largest flood event on record the effects due to the development are predicted to be less than 5.8 centimetres.

“The effects of the development are essentially limited to the Jane Eliza flood plain with areas beyond the extent of the floodplain typically limited to 3 centimetres even under the same conditions as the largest event of record.”

Mr Hunter said while the hydrology findings are a significant component of the process, it forms a small section of everything that needs to be accounted for before the development moves towards a starting point.

“We reiterate that this is a long process and a project that will take many years to come to fruition,” he said.

Developer Wel.Co is currently progressing the Code Amendment for the site which will include formal public consultation in line with South Australia’s Community Engagement Charter.

The hydrology findings will form part of the technical requirements for the amendment, which seeks to support future development of the area.

The concept plans will evolve as further planning and investigations continue, with detailed designs to follow at the Land Division Consent stage.

Key stakeholders that will be consulted throughout the code amendment phase include the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Country Fire Service, Department for

Environment and Water, Department for Education, the SA Housing Authority’s Affordable Housing Unit, the Environment Protection Authority, the Insurance Council of Australia, and utility providers including SA Power Networks, SA Water, ElectraNet, APA Group, and NBN Co.

The Jane Eliza Development is one of the most significant projects in the Riverland’s history, which will help drive decades of employment opportunities and provide much-needed houseboat infrastructure and facilities.

The long-term, master planned riverfront development will deliver new housing, expanded marine infrastructure, and major economic benefits for the region.

The project is expected to inject over $415 million into the regional economy during construction and generate an estimated $107 million annually once complete.

Renmark Paringa Council is partnering with national developer Wel.Co to bring the project to life.

Wel.Co’s team specialises in regional area and have unlocked significant potential and opportunities in country areas including Gawler, Mallala and Echuca, Victoria.

As part of Council’s long-term vision, Jane Eliza is central to supporting sustainable growth, improving liveability, and building a more diverse and resilient local economy.

Renmark Paringa Mayor Peter Hunter said the development reflects a once-in-a-generation opportunity to guide the future of the region.

“Jane Eliza isn’t just about new homes, it’s about creating a stronger, more resilient and more vibrant future for Renmark,” he said.

The development will play a key role in addressing housing demand, with Jane Eliza accounting for 45 per cent of all land available for future residential development within the Council area.

It will also feature a nationally significant marina precinct, designed to attract visitors, support tourism operators, and position Renmark as a major destination along the River Murray.

The increase in building and construction activity will create opportunities for direct employment and stimulate economic activity across the region.

Mr Hunter said the expanded marina would help drive growth in tourism and the houseboat industry, creating new jobs and business opportunities, while importantly providing the much-needed services needed for the existing houseboat community.

“It’s about building on what makes Renmark unique, our lifestyle and our connection to the river,” he said.

“There is a strong need for more facilities and infrastructure for houseboats, and this project will address those needs.

Designed as a high-quality, master-planned destination, Jane Eliza will also deliver upgraded infrastructure, new green spaces, and public amenities.

The significance of the development has also been acknowledged at the state level. In a letter to Mayor Hunter, Premier Peter Malinauskas wrote:

“With the transformative Jane Eliza development now progressing, the community is well positioned to move forward. Its potential to expand residential land supply and drive economic growth makes it one of the most consequential projects in the region to date.”