Rain delays work on Otways weir

RAIN has again delayed construction of a Barwon Water weir project, according to the authority.
Barwon Water infrastructure services general manager Paul Northey said above-average rain during winter had hampered progress on the Dewings Creek diversion weir.
The weir would now be completed “in early 2013”, he said.
The Independent reported in March that work had begun on the weir following delays due to rain.
Barwon Water initially scheduled the weir to begin operating by mid-2011.
Mr Northey said Dewings Creek would supply Geelong with an extra 600 million litres of water a year, or two per cent of annual demand.
The weir would divert “excess flows” from the creek to Wurdee Buloc Reservoir’s inlet channel.
Mr Northey said the project involved replacing the existing weir and installing new automatic gates in the downstream channel and a fish ladder.
“To date, the automatic gates have been installed and foundations have been established for the weir and fish ladder.”
The weir was decommissioned more than 50 years ago.
Greens State MP Greg Barber said the project was a “lazy approach” to water management that would “stress” the Barwon River.
State Government should instead invest in subsidies for conservation initiatives like tanks and efficient showerheads, he said.