The historic Kent Street Weir has been reopened by Water Minister Dave Kelly following a $4.8 million refurbishment to the 90-year-old structure.
The weir marks the border between the freshwater river and saline estuary, and helps protect water quality and freshwater ecosystems by stopping tidal forces pushing marine salinity further upstream.
It has been a focal point for community recreation in the Canning River Regional Park for decades, attracting many different recreational uses including running, cycling, dog walking, canoeing, and picnics.
Refurbishment works included construction of new piers to support the structure safely, an aesthetically designed walkway with disabled access, mechanised weir gates that can be operated remotely in response to river levels, and a new fishway enabling fish to move up and downstream when the weir is closed.
Construction began in May 2017 and has been managed by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in collaboration with the City of Canning and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Photo: Kent Street Weir (Parks and Wildlife Service)