Shepparton - EG 12
Remodelling works: 18 May - 23 June
Every year we carry out a major maintenance program over the winter months, during the irrigation off-season between 16 May and 14 August.
Our Winter Works program ensures we can continue to deliver water to customers when they need it, where they need it. This year, we are focusing on maintaining and improving infrastructure to improve water delivery flow and efficiency.
The program is specifically timed during the non-irrigation season, meaning we can dewater channels to carry out works on our submersed infrastructure without impacting on customers.
The $4.7 million 2026 works program will see more than 10km of channel banks remediated, an extensive aquatic weed removal program, and replacing or refurbishing ageing bridges, culverts and syphons.
More than 60 GMW staff will be deployed as part of the Winter Works program, along with specialist contractors.
Channels will be refilled in early August, to be ready for the first day of the 2026/27 irrigation season on 15 August.
We ask people to take care on local roads during this time, as construction works may mean an increase in vehicle and heavy machinery movements in some areas. Please follow all safety and traffic management directions.
Major projects in 2026
Channel remediation
We’re focusing on channels that have been identified as needing remediation to improve water flow and performance. Depending on the site, works may include stabilising and reshaping channel banks, repairing leaks or seepage, improving or repairing lining, and strengthening banks to manage erosion. These improvements help reduce water loss, boost delivery efficiency and extend the life of the water delivery network.
About 10km of channel will be part of the channel remediation program in 2026. Details of the affected channels and any changes to local traffic conditions are outlined below.
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Waaia - MV 6
Remodelling works: 11 May - 22 July
Important information: Speed reductions on Rendells and Fuzzards roads will be in place.
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Echuca - CG 1/25/19/9
Remodelling works: 16 July - 6 August
Important information: Speed reductions on Lady Augusta and Mitchel roads will be in place.
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Cohuna - TO 7/6/1
Remodelling works: 16 July - 6 August
Important information: Minor traffic changes on the Murray Valley Highway south of Cohuna.
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Lockington - RO 27
Remodelling works: 18 May - 23 June
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Mincha West - LV 1
Remodelling works: 11 May - 22 July
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Dhurringile - CG 3/5/3
Remodelling works: 13 August - 9 September
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Cohuna - TO 7/6/1
Remodelling works: 13 August - 2 September
Weed treatment
During winter, we carry out an extensive weed treatment program to target submersed aquatic weeds like Hornwort, Sagittaria, Ribbon weed and Egeria. Removing these weeds improves water flow and helps prevent silting and issues with automatic regulators.
Affected channels across the West, Central and East areas will be treated between 16 May and early August. Any remaining water in these channels will be treated with herbicides proven to remove aquatic weeds. While the chemical has low toxicity for humans and animals, there is a withholding period and we advise you not to use the treated water for livestock or to spray horticulture/broad acre crops. Water will be available again from the start of the 2026/27 season on 15 August.
During the irrigation off-season we also lower water levels in channels, which means exposed weeds are also treated by frost.
More information on how we treat weeds is in our fact sheet.
Bridge, syphon and culvert works
As part of our Winter Works program, we are replacing or improving some of the water delivery network assets that are usually submerged while the channel network is dewatered.
This year, we are replacing or refurbishing ageing bridges, syphons and culverts to improve water flow through the channel network.
You can find more information on each project in the tabs below, including construction timing and any road closures that might be in place.
If you need more information, please contact our Customer Experience team on 1800 013 357.
We’re replacing a 9m-long box culvert underneath Bourchiers Road near Strathmerton.
Bourchiers Road will be closed between Bearii-Mywee Rd and Bearii East Road, from Monday 18 May to about Wednesday 10 June, weather permitting.
Access for local residents will be maintained throughout the works.
Please take care while driving on nearby roads and follow all directions and signage. We appreciate your patience while we carry out these upgrade works.
We're replacing a culvert on the EG 12 channel from 18 May to 19 June.
Walshs Bridge South Road will be closed during the works.
We're replacing a culvert on the LV 10/1 channel where it crosses Pickles Road, near Yarrawalla South.
Works are expected to be completed between 25 May and 3 July.
Pickles Road will be closed during the works, but a temporary bypass will be available.
A new culvert will be constructed underneath Fairmans Road, west of Nathalia as part of this year’s winter works program. This will replace the ageing, existing 10m long culvert, which will help to improve water flows through the channel.
Fairmans Road will be closed north of the Barmah-Shepparton Road intersection between Thursday 4 June to Friday 20 June (approx).
Access for local residents will be maintained throughout the works as needed.
Please take care while driving on nearby roads and follow all directions and signage. We appreciate your patience while we carry out these upgrade works.
We're carrying out repairs to a bridge across private land on the TO 3 channel.
Works are expected to be carried out between 6 July and 6 August.
A private road will need to be closed, but a temporary bypass will be in place during the works.
We're replacing a culvert on Pleasance Rd, near Tragowel.
The works are expected to be carried out between 20 July and 7 August.
Pleasance Rd will be closed during the works and a detour will be in place.
We're repairing the concrete on the culvert on Learmont Rd, near Katamatite. Works will be carried out between 29 Juily to 5 August.
Learmont Rd will be closed during the works, please follow all traffic direction signage.
We're repairing the lining on the syphon on the RO 11 channel.
Works will be taking place between 27-31 July, and a road on private property will have limited access during this time.
We'll be carrying out improvement works to the abutment on Merton Road. This involves backfilling the structure and constructing some beaching.
Works will be carried out between 7 August and 14 August.
Merton Road will have speed restrictions in place during the works, please take care and follow all traffic management signage.
We'll be carrying out improvement works to the abutment on Richard Road. This involves backfilling the structure and constructing some beaching.
Works will be carried out between 10 August and 13 August.
Richard Road will be closed during the works, but a bypass over the channel will be in place.
We'll be carrying out improvement works to the abutment on the bridge and culvert on Lane Road. This involves backfilling the structure and constructing some beaching.
Lane Road will have speed restrictions in place during the works, please take care and follow all traffic management signage.
Regulator works during the 2025 Winter Works program.
