The 128-year-old structure on the river between Shepparton and Benalla could be removed to improve fish passage up the river.
The Victorian and Commonwealth governments recently announced funding of $130 million for reconfiguration works to improve reliability for irrigators and to provide environmental improvements for the stream.
Estimates of the cost of removal have been put at $4.9 million.
In the consultations for a feasibility report, questions were raised around the logic of decommissioning Gowangardie Weir.
“It is an important long-standing structure with environmental values upstream of the weir,” the technical report noted.
“It was noted that the main concern with the weir is fish passage, and the effects that removal of the weir may have on irrigators would be considered in any decommission investigations.
“Some customers rely on fixed pool and river height data from the above weir.”
Some stakeholders suggested the local population of platypus could be affected by the decommissioning.
The reconfiguration feasibility study noted that removal of a significant fish migration barrier at Gowangardie Weir would help to improve aquatic biodiversity in the river and contribute to a healthier river ecosystem.
“Restoring natural river pathways will enhance the connectivity between different habitats, promoting genetic diversity and resilience among aquatic species,” the study noted.
Gowangardie Weir was completed for the Shire of Shepparton Waterworks Trust on June 16, 1897 on a site upstream of the former Pine Lodge Weir. The trust had a granite tablet fixed to the weir bearing the names of all the commissioners, the secretary and three engineers, and also the clerk of works and the contractors.
A business case is being prepared before works are carried out under the reconfiguration program on the river.
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