Goulburn-Murray Water is halfway through this year's $2.5 million Winter Works program.
The works are taking place across the irrigation delivery network in the winter shutdown period, in preparation for the opening of the 2020/21 irrigation season on August 15.
GMW Infrastructure Delivery general manager Warren Jose said the regular maintenance works would keep the delivery system running efficiently, to meet irrigation demands.
There was a flow-on effect for the large number of local businesses being employed to undertake the projects.
"Many of the contractors, labour hire and casuals we're using in our Winter Works program are based in the region, which means a significant amount of money is being spent with local businesses," Mr Jose said.
Local businesses working as part of the GMW Winter Works program include earthmoving contractors such as Darradean Excavations, Colman Contracting Services, Guiney Excavations, Elliott's Excavation, and Brian and Ada's Tipping.
The 2020 Winter Works program includes:
Remodelling 2.3km of channel to reduce ongoing and future maintenance costs
Replacement or refurbishment of 25 structures, including road crossings, bridges and culverts
Installation and replacement of 29 metered outlets across the region
Railway crossing upgrade at Byrneside
Taylor's Creek channel remodelling
Tungamah pipeline pump station refurbishment
Desilting of silt affected channels with 12 excavators in use across the GMID
Upper Deakin Drainage program to remove obstructions throughout the course
Until August there wouldl be more traffic on local roads as GMW staff, contractors and suppliers, together with heavy slow moving machinery travel to and from local work sites in your area.
"With fog and the wetter conditions of winter, we're asking for the assistance and understanding of the local community as we carry out these projects so important to efficient water delivery and the prosperity of our region," Mr Jose said.
"We are also asking landowners not to approach our staff and contractors, who are actively practising physical distancing requirements."
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