G-MW treated the channels for weeds using Flumioxazin (Payload), a herbicide that has a low environmental impact.
G-MW manager civil and environmental services John Walker said the weed treatment program alongside other winter works projects provided direct benefits to customers.
“It allows for greater efficiency in water delivery so that when our customers request water we’re able to deliver on that request,” he said.
G-MW also delivered its most comprehensive dewatering campaign in more than a decade during the irrigation off-season. Mr Walker said the campaign allowed GMW to utilise the environment effectively for weeds treatment.
“Harnessing the effects of frost is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to combat the presence of weeds,” he said.
The winter works program takes place every year during the irrigation off-season between May 15 and August 14, allowing G-MW to undertake key maintenance works.
Nearly 300km of channels were treated for weeds during the 2025 program and more than 70km of channels were desilted.
A number of other projects were also delivered during winter works, including the replacement of the rail culvert over the Murray Valley No. 6 channel south of Katunga.
The channel runs under the Shepparton-Tocumwal railway freight line and allows water to flow underneath the train line.
Just a few kilometres away was the remodelling of 1.6km of Murray Valley No. 5 channel and a further kilometre of silt removal.
Another major project completed over winter was the desilting, remodelling and rock armouring of 4.5km of Western Waranga channel.
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