Lions Weir Project

The Lions Weir is one of the most recognisable locations in Boddington. The Lions Weir spans the Hotham River to the North of Boddington townsite and was constructed in the 1980s by the Boddington Lions Club with the purpose of providing safe recreational space for the town. Originally the Weir was constructed of earth & rock backed timber. Sometime after the initial construction a concrete cap was placed over the weir and then in recent times, a fish ladder was constructed on the Southern side of the weir to enable fish to continue their progress upstream to breed.

Over time the area upstream of the weir has to varying degrees become subject to sedimentation. According to a 2019 study the volume of accumulated sediment upstream of the weir in the area known as the town pool is approximately 12,000m3. The accumulated sediment has reduced the volume of water that can be stored by the weir and thus reduced the usefulness of the waterbody for its original purpose of recreation for the town. The nature of the warm, shallow water coupled with the elevated levels of available nutrients in the town pool has resulted in occurrences of algal growth.

The Town Pool is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora including the near-threatened freshwater oblong turtle, Pygmy perch, Nightfish and Gilgie. Conservation of the habitat and project impacts on these and other native species needs to be a key consideration for the project.

The nature of the communities’ vision for the use of this space created by the weir is also a subject that will need to be explored by this project. Depending on the proposed uses of the space the remediation action required to achieve these plans will differ.


Why is this Project taking place?

The Lions Weir was an area of interest identified by the community during consultation of the 2022 - 2032 Council Plan. 

The need to undertake this project is driven by:

  • Community interest in rehabilitating the Weir as outlined in the Council Plan
  • An excess build up of sediment in the river, making it unattractive for recreational use
  • Aging infrastructure - No recent structural assessments have been undertaken
  • Enhancing the health of the Hotham River

A number of factors will need to be considered throughout this project, including:

  • Impact on river flora and fauna
  • The structural integrity of the weir
  • How the space should be used
  • Historical and cultural significance


What has occurred to date?

A key project identified in the Council Plan is 4.2.1 “Facilitate the rehabilitation of the Lions Weir, including silt removal within the river to allow recreational use.” In February 2023, a Reference Group was formed to inform the project direction and to explore options for remediation works.

The rehabilitation of the Weir precinct has been divided into three components,

  1. The weir wall
  2. The riverbed
  3. The surrounds

Initial Reference Group meetings included discussions on all three aspects of the project. Early in the process it became apparent that more detailed data was required regarding the integrity of the weir wall and the extent of silt build up on the riverbed. This information was critical to ensure informed recommendations were made.

An engineer was engaged to inspect and provide a report on the weir wall. A copy of that report is included as attachment 9.1.3A.

Research into dredging options for this type of water body identified the micro dredging process as the most likely feasible process. Apex Envirocare are contractors who have carried out similar works on the Vasse River in Busselton. See the video on this project.

In order to establish a likely cost for dredging, more accurate data on the volume of silt was required. Previous investigations from 2019 indicated potentially 12,000 cubic metres of silt, however, the sampling methodology employed at that time did not provide sufficient reliability.

Apex Envirocare carried out detailed sampling and estimate the total volume of silt is more likely to be in the order of 5,600 cubic metres.

The Lions Weir Reference Group considering all of the above matters recommended to undertake dredging as required and maintain the current wall.

Council endorsed the Lions Weir Reference Group recommendation at their ordinary council meeting on the 23 November 2023.


What's Next?

  • Seek expressions of interest from contractors to carry out the works.
  • Apply for the necessary approvals to permit a dredging program from the relevant State Government departments.

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