NOW it is not just locusts but the potential for floods which are threatening to keep the tourists away.
One Sunraysia caravan park yesterday said several people booked to stay for the Mildura Country Music Festival at the end of this month had called to cancel because of fears of flooding.
River authorities are still predicting rising waters along the Murray River but no-one is suggesting a flood is imminent.
Some boards are expected to be removed from the Mildura Weir in preparation for higher flows with the Apex Park sandbar now well covered.
The Murray Darling Basin Authority was unable to confirm late yesterday that the Euston Weir had been lowered with five times the normal flow expected in coming days.
Mildura Tourism yesterday warned tourism operators to be aware of gradually changing conditions that may affect our area in coming weeks.
"It is now predicted that some areas along the Murray will be affected by flooding," Mildura Tourism chief executive Rod Trowbridge said.
“This poses potential perception difficulties for Mildura. Local operators should be aware that some visitors who have made forward bookings may now seek to cancel those bookings due to flood perceptions.”
Mr Trowbridge said Mildura was not affected by floods, and was unlikely to be.
“Water levels along the river are rising and these higher levels are expected to continue in Mildura over coming weeks,” he said.
“If current weather conditions prevail, higher river levels are unlikely to greatly affect any tourism business, accommodation or attraction in Mildura.
“If unusually heavy rainfalls continue and then coincide with rising river levels, some minor and localised flooding could occur along the Murray in our region.
“However there will be ample advance warning of this.
Mildura Tourism has identified tourism operators who may be affected by any ‘worst case scenarios’ and will continue to work with these operators to minimise potential inconvenience to their customers or disruptions to their business.
There are concerns about moderate rural flooding at Echuca and even at Kerang where the Loddon River will spill into the Murray.
The timing of the river peak at Mildura was still not known yesterday but is expected in AFL grand final week – the final week of September.
Mildura Country Music Festival co-ordinator John Arnold said there was not enough water on its way to threaten safety.
“If the Darling was in flood then for sure, it might back the river up but that’s not happening here.
“There’s no reason for anyone looking forward to the country music festival to fear a flood,” Mr Arnold said.
Mr Arnold said there was still a lot of uncertainty about how much water was heading Mildura’s way.
“Yes there is a lot of water coming but it will go through quickly.”
The 24th annual music festival is Australia’s biggest showcase of independent country music which begins on September 24 and runs until October 3.
Mr Trowbridge said he was surprised the prospect of floods would be scaring people off.
His organisation is preparing for a series of locust briefings next week, but “as I understand it, ... all the indications are that we will not be threatened by any flooding.”
Rising water levels along the Murray, Edward and Niemur rivers has forced the closure of several national and regional parks.
While there was no information yesterday about whether the river would flow across its bank into the Ornamental Lakes area, a Mildura Rural City Council spokesman said the new soundshell, The Nowingi Place, was was constructed with the knowledge it was on a flood plain.
“The stage is made of concrete and steel so would withstand flooding, while the shade sails and back of house areas are fully demountable and removable,” he said.
The back of house areas are essentially shipping containers, which can be moved offsite relatively simply.”
This story appeared in Friday’s Sunraysia Daily 10/09/2010.
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