Traffic congestion is set to ease north of Nathalia following completion of major works.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Commuters north of Nathalia can now relax with the completion of major drainage works.
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Since 2022, Goulburn-Murray Water and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority have collaborated to improve the drainage network in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District under the GMID Drainage Management Strategy.
The strategy aims to reduce waterlogging on private and public land and support sustainable irrigation.
A major part of this process has been removing obstructions, such as elevated roads and farm tracks, and replacing damaged or undersized culverts, that prevent water from following its natural course and subsequently minimising inundation.
GMW drainage systems manager Carolyn Nigro stated that the recent works will improve drainage in the Murray Valley West catchment.
Drainage works are now complete.
“The culvert under the Murray Valley Hwy was on an angle that prevented water flowing under the highway until the drain was almost full,” she said.
“The obstruction was a major issue for Murray Valley West catchment drainage, as during large rainfall events it would create a bottleneck, rather than follow its natural course.
“We upgraded the existing culvert and installed a siphon, which will allow water to follow a more natural drainage course - similar to how it would if the road was not there.”
Ms Nigro said the changes will greatly improve the effectiveness of the drainage in the upper catchment and will also improve the integrity of the road.
As part of the extensive drainage works in the Murray Valley West catchment, GMW has consulted with 81 landholders potentially impacted by the works.
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