Southern Rural Water’s infrastructure provides the water that powers the Werribee Irrigation District, which produces more than $187 million of vegetables and leafy salads each year.
We are upgrading our crucial offtake infrastructure on the Werribee River with a new modern penstock gate to ensure continued reliable flows of water to the Werribee Irrigation District.
The new penstock gate will be integrated with our systems network to allow remote monitoring and control. These works are part of a longer program of works that complements our completed modernisation works and will enable us to deliver a fully automated irrigation system in the future.
The works will be done by a suitably qualified contractor, and we will work closely with them to minimise impacts to the local environment and residents.
Works will be done in two phases. Phase 1 will be done in January 2026. Phase 2 will be done between June and July 2026, during a non-supply window to avoid disruption to customers’ water supply.
Works on the Werribee River
The works will take place just upstream of the Werribee River weir within River Bend Historical Park and require use of a crane and heavy machinery. The public footpath will remain open.
The work site will be fenced off during works to ensure the public footpath can continue to be used safely. We encourage the community to follow safety signage and local traffic management directions that will be in place.
We are authorised to undertake works near the Werribee River and plan to complete Phase 2 works at the end of the irrigation season.
We will be lowering the weir level as required and it will be done slowly to ensure no fish or animals are caught in the work area. We will stop works and engage a qualified wildlife contractor if there are any concerns.
We will fully charge the weir pool after works and notify Melbourne Water so we can smoothly coordinate and continue delivering environmental flows in the Werribee River.