Engineering Works of the River Murray
The River Murray rises in the Snowy Mountains and flows westwards along the border between New South Wales and Victoria into South Australia. There it turns southward and eventually flows into the Great Australian Bight, a total distance of 2500km.
The river provided an important water transport route and had the potential to "make the deserts bloom". However in its natural state the flow was much diminished during recurrent droughts, and the calls for some control over its vagaries grew.
After decades of fruitless debate in colonial times the newly-created Federal Government brokered an agreement with the three States in 1914 to construct a series of locks and weirs. These structures would facilitate navigation up to Echuca in Victoria and to Hay on the Murrumbidgee River in New South Wales. The weirs would create ponds of water from which pumps would deliver water for irrigation. In addition the flow in the river was to be made more reliable by the construction of two large storages, one in the headwaters (Hume Dam) and one near the South Australian border (Lake Victoria).
The decline in river traffic meant that not all the weirs and locks were built. Instead a series of barrages was constructed across the Murray mouth to exclude salt water from the lower reaches of the river. In 1961 and 1979 the storage capacity was greatly increased to expand the irrigation areas and improve long term reliability. All the works are included in this nomination.
Two plaques were placed: one at Blanchetown Lock which was commenced in 1913 and was the first work, and one at Hume Dam which commenced in 1919.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | National Engineering Landmark (NEL) Centenary of Federation “Plaquing” Program |
| Award Date | October 2001 |
| Heritage Significance | The creation of the River Murray Commission in 1915 by the governments of the Commonwealth, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria established the framework under which the four governments would work together for the equitable efficient and sustainable use of the waters of the River Murray and lower Darling River. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Invitation and Program | Available here. |
| Ceremony Brochure | Available here. |
