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Dights Falls Weir and Fishway Project

The Waterways Alliance, on behalf of Melbourne Water, is completing works to replace the ageing Dights Falls Weir and build a new fishway on the Yarra River in Abbotsford.

The new weir will be similar in shape, location and height to the existing structure and continue an important role controlling water levels in the river.

A new fishway will allow fish to swim past the weir, benefiting 11 species of native migratory fish and unlocking vast reaches of the Yarra and its tributaries upstream.

How is the new weir and fishway being constructed?

The project involves four major phases of work:

  1. Site establishment and preparation
    Environmental, traffic and safety controls have been installed along with facilities for our workers.
    Access tracks, material stock pile areas and a controlled river diversion structure are now in place.
  2. Weir construction
    The controlled river diversion structure allows in-stream works to continue. Material has been imported to the site to build a solid temporary platform across the river. A large bore piling rig is working from on top of the platform to install a series of connected concrete piles that will underpin the new weir. A pre-formed concrete cap will be installed on top of the piles to complete the new weir.
  3. Fishway construction
    The river diversion structure and the constructed platform will be removed allowing water to flow over the new weir. The vertical slot fishway will be built on site connecting to the new weir.
  4. Demobilisation and landscaping
    Site remediation and landscaping works including planting will take place. All construction related materials will be removed.

When will the project be completed?

Construction started in November 2010, however work has been heavily impacted by wet weather and major works were suspended in July 2011.

Major construction works started again in January 2012.

As the site is vulnerable to high river levels that delay works, it is difficult to predict the exact date this project will be completed. We currently anticipate that major construction works will be completed in Spring 2012.

Impacts of construction on local residents and Dights Falls Park users

Building the new weir and fishway requires significant construction works. Residents and park users will experience increased truck traffic at times throughout the project and may experience noise.

A large area of Dights Falls Park will be inaccessible during the project and there will also be temporary changes to shared paths - an area map is available (PDF, 273kb) - from early November 2010 to the completion of the project.

The Capital City Trail will remain open throughout our works, however cyclists and pedestrians will experience some interruptions and short delays during the project’s work hours. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Temporary impacts on river levels upstream of Dights Falls

A temporary diversion of the Yarra has been set up at Dights Falls to allow the construction of the new weir and fishway. The diversion will be in place until the new weir has been constructed and will cause river levels for up to 16 kilometres above the weir to temporarily drop below normal levels on occasions.

The drop in river level will cause sections of river bank, usually under water, to become exposed. For more information about the project's impact on river levels call Melbourne Water's Dights Falls Project Hotline on 1800 673 151.

What will the new weir and fishway look like?

Dights Falls Artist Impression

The new weir and fishway seek to maintain the existing values of the site, balancing heritage, environmental, recreational and cultural values.

The weir will be similar in shape, location and height to the existing structure and retain a waterfall effect. The fishway will be covered by grates and landscaped into the northern bank of the river to minimise its visual impact. It will be accessible by the public as a platform to view Dights Falls.

An artist impression (PDF, 844kb) of the new weir and fishway is available. You can also view a second perspective (PDF, 7.8mb) showing the new weir and fishway from the Yarra Boulevard Trail on the southern bank of the river.

What does the weir do?

Dights Falls

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 will 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).

Community consultation

Melbourne Water has worked with a number of community and government agencies in developing the project to build the new weir and fishway - including Heritage Victoria, Wurundjeri Tribe and Land Council, City of Yarra, river users and environmental groups.

A proposed design was presented to key stakeholders and the community in August and September 2010. The feedback received was considered in finalising the design for construction.

Respecting heritage values at Dights Falls

Melbourne Water successfully applied to Heritage Victoria, under section 67 of the Heritage Act 1995, for a permit to replace the weir and construct the fishway.

A Cultural Heritage Management Plan has also been approved for the project, recognising the significance of Dights Falls to the Wurundjeri people; the traditional owners of the area.

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.