Major infrastructure works affecting the operation of the Stuart Murray Canal at Goulburn Weir have been completed on time and under budget.
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Four radial gates on the canal's offtake regulator were replaced with new steel structures, ensuring accurate irrigation deliveries to hundreds of farmers in the Central Goulburn irrigation area.
Originally installed in 1967, the old gates were nearing the end of their operational life and had become rusty and degraded and required placement.
Goulburn-Murray Water, which manages the infrastructure, had been working with Shepparton contractor Fast Track Fabrication and Design since May to remove the old gates, replicate replacement gates and install the new structures.
"As we had to drain the Stuart Murray Canal in order to replace these gates, it was critical to our customers that we complete this working during winter, outside the gravity irrigation season," G-MW dams operations manager Scott Wikman said.
"This has been successful. The canal will be refilled and the structure is ready for the opening of the irrigation season on August 15."
The Stuart Murray Canal transfers water from the Goulburn River at the Goulburn Weir near Nagambie, through the areas around Murchison and Dhurringile, to the Waranga Basin near Rushworth.
To allow for the works, G-MW lowered Lake Nagambie's water level, which will now be returned to normal. Fast Track Fabrications and Design director David Molloy-Hunt said modern computer design techniques allowed the firm to replicated the gates with pinpoint accuracy along with modern paint protection to protect against exposure to water.
Mr Molloy-Hunt said the project ran smoothly ahead of schedule, with the new gates expected to last 50 years.
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