of "talkies". In 1977 the two local councils recombined as the District Council of Murray Bridge. In 1979 the Swanport Bridge, carrying the South Eastern Freeway across the Murray River was completed downstream, removing most through traffic from the historic road and rail bridge. In 1993 the local municipal council crossed a population threshold, enabling it to be declared a city, the Rural City of Murray Bridge. The bounded locality of Murray Bridge remained the majority population centre and seat of the city council. Murray Bridge contains a number of heritage-listed sites, including the Murray Bridge Transport Precinct, listed on the South Australian Heritage Register. Geography Location Murray Bridge is located 76 km south-east of Adelaide and is the population centre of the Murraylands region. The city has an urban area of 97.5 km2, making up 5.3% of the Rural City of Murray Bridge council area of 1,832 km2. Water Situated along the Murray River, the river is the lifeblood of the city and surrounding areas. The river flows into nearby Lake Alexandrina and Lake Albert. Adelaide receives 55% of its water supply from the Murray on average. In the 1982/83 drought, 90% of Adelaide's supply was pumped from the Murray. The "Iron Triangle" industrial area receives 90% of its water from the Murray. Suburbs Refer to the Rural City of Murray Bridge for townships within the council area. Suburbs within the city include Northern Heights, Murray Bridge North, Murray Bridge East, Murray Bridge South, Riverglades, Gifford Hill, and Avoca Dell. Murray Bridge also has a number of unofficially named neighbourhoods including: Westside, Southside, Birdsville (also known as Bird Cage, due to the streets being named after birds), Pathways, and Narooma Waters. The latest development to Murray Bridge includes a new estate called Newbridge. The city used to have a number of neighbourhoods, now part of the wider Murray Bridge township, these included: Hornsey Park, Bridgeport, Riverview, Murray Bridge Estate, Murray Gardens, Totness Park, Dunoon Park, Morningside, South Mobilong, Kerkanya, Ruglea Park, Sladdentown, Glenview, Westland, Slade Park, Rundleville, Railway Land, Myrleville, Ritterville, Riverdene, Hawkelea, Murray Bridge Extension, Pine Park, Laneville, Murray Park, and Esmond Park. Some of these names have been retained as streets, parks or businesses. Climate Murray Bridge experiences a cold semi-arid climate, with warm, dry summers; mild, relatively dry springs and autumns; and mild, relatively dry winters. The highest recorded temperature of was reached on 24 January