News

Merbein Pump to feature in Pump Hill Park

Sun, 07 Sep 2014 08:19:00

The original 1920s pump that founded the Merbein Irrigation District will take pride of place in a new-look Pump Hill Park at the town’s entrance.

The pump is being replaced in the $120 million Sunraysia Modernisation Project (SMP), and community members and groups were keen to retain the old pump for use as a community monument.
The SMP’s Project Director Mike Walsh said the pump would be a feature in the redeveloped parkland gateway to the town.
“As well as installing a new pump at the pump station, the SMP is installing a pipeline to replace the main irrigation channel through the Merbein township,” Mr Mike Walsh said.
“Merbein’s major irrigation channel will be decommissioned and surrounding areas will be rehabilitated. This gives the opportunity to create an aesthetically pleasing common area that the general public will be able to enjoy while still paying homage to Merbein’s irrigation heritage.”
South Australian Joint Venture partners Guidera O’Connor Pty Ltd and Leed Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd (GOLD JV) have been appointed to carry out the SMP pipeline construction and channel decommissioning work at Merbein and Red Cliffs.
“The heritage values of the Merbein channel reserve, including the iconic palm trees, are recognized and most will be retained under the channel decommissioning and rehabilitation,” Mr Mike Walsh said.
“The decommissioning of the channel at Pump Hill also gives an opportunity to create an area to display the original pump to be used as a feature.”
“The huge benefits that will come from the SMP are not only beneficial to the irrigation community – there are safety and community benefits as well and we are working with council and the community to maximize those.”
For more information about the SMP please visit our website www.lmw.vic.gov.au or contact our office 50510797.  Look out for us on twitter @lowmurwater and Facebook and keep up to date with all our programs and initiatives.