Dights Falls Weir and Fishway Project
Studies have found the heritage listed Dights Falls Weir in Abbotsford has reached the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
Melbourne Water, together with the Waterways Alliance, is working on a project to construct a new weir at Dights Falls that will be similar in shape, form and height to the existing structure.
The proposed replacement weir also features a new fishway that will open up the Yarra and its tributaries to many species of migratory fish, whose upstream passage has been restricted by Dights Falls for decades.
What does the weir do?
The existing weir at Dights Falls dates back to 1895 when a timber structure was built to provide water to the Melbourne Flour Milling Company, run by the Hon. James Bell.
Today the weir plays an important role controlling water levels in the Yarra – pooling water for approximately 17 kilometres upstream and protecting important social, economic and environmental values of the river.
More information about the history of Dights Falls Weir can be found in A Short History of Dights Falls Fact Sheet (PDF, 918kb).
Why do we need a fishway at Dights Falls?
Dights Falls is considered one of the most significant in-stream barriers to native fish passage in Victoria. A rock-fishway constructed at the site in 1993 is now largely ineffective.
The construction of a new and improved vertical slot fishway at Dights Falls is expected to directly benefit the Yarra and its upstream tributaries, boosting native migratory fish numbers and species diversity.
More information about Fishways, and why fish passage is important, can be found in the Fishways Fact Sheet (PDF, 672kb).
Respecting heritage values at Dights Falls
The proposed design for the new weir and fishway seeks to maintain the existing values of the site, balancing heritage, environmental, recreational and cultural values.
Melbourne Water has submitted an application, under section 67 of the Heritage Act 1995, to Heritage Victoria seeking a permit to replace the weir and construct a fishway.
Viewing and commenting on the proposed design
An artist impression of the proposed new weir and fishway (PDF, 1.1mb) is available. You can also view a technical drawing (PDF, 642kb) showing the general arrangement of the new weir and fishway.
You are invited to complete a feedback form (Word, 108kb) to comment on the design. Your feedback is valued and will be considered in finalising the design.
The proposed design will also be displayed at a project information tent, set up at Dights Falls Weir in Abbotsford, on Friday 27 August between 7.30am and 6pm and Saturday 28 August between 9am and 4pm.
What’s ahead for the project?
Once all feedback and comment has been considered, we expect to finalise the design of the new weir and fishway around October.
Construction is proposed to occur in summer 2010/11. It is likely the project will take up to six months to construct.
Contact us / Further information
For more information about this project call Melbourne Water’s Dights Falls Project Hotline on 1800 673 151 or contact us online.
Downloads
- A Short History of Dights Falls Fact Sheet (PDF, 918kb)
- Dights Falls - Artists Impression (PDF, 1.1mb)
- Dights Falls - Technical Drawing (PDF, 643kb)
- Dights Falls Design Community Feedback Form (Word, 108kb)
- Dights Falls Weir Replacement and Fishway Project Fact Sheet (PDF, 696kb)
- Fishways Fact Sheet (PDF, 672kb)
You will need Adobe Acrobat to access the above PDF documents. 