Werai Forest Regulator Project

The Werai Forest, spanning over 11,000 hectares, holds deep cultural significance for the Wemba Wemba and Barapa Barapa Traditional Owners. Recognised nationally and internationally for its ecological value, the forest is listed under the Ramsar Convention and the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. With more than 12,000 identified cultural sites, Werai remains a vital landscape for biodiversity, cultural heritage, and community connection.

During the early development stages of the Reconnecting River Country Program, aging infrastructure in Werai Forest was identified as limiting water flows to its Ramsar listed creeks and wetlands. This is affecting the health and cultural heritage values of the forest and the flora and fauna depending on these flows to thrive. The 3 aging regulators are also difficult to operate and require upgrading to modern safety standards.

Upgrading the existing regulator infrastructure at Tumudgery Creek, Niemur River and Reed Bed Creek, and building a new regulator at Moonyah Lagoon, will support the health of the forest’s waterways and wetlands through improved connectivity and fish passage. It will also provide better access and opportunities for First Nations people as owners of the forest and will allow better and more efficient water delivery.

Due to the environmental and cultural heritage importance of the forest, the upgrades are being prioritised separate to the wider Reconnecting River Country Program.

The project is fully funded by the Australian Government for delivery by December 2026.

The department’s Water Group is leading the delivery of the project with the involvement of the Werai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation.

Scope of works

The project involves:

• replacing 3 aging regulators at Tumudgery Creek, Niemur River and Reed Bed Creek
• installing a new pipe structure at Moonyah Lagoon
• upgrading access tracks to support construction and future maintenance.
   

The majority of the planning and approval activities for the project are now complete. This includes developing an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report in partnership with Traditional Owners, undertaking ecological and environmental studies, completing site surveys and carrying out geotechnical investigations and hydraulic modelling to inform design.  

The Water Group has now finalised the detailed designs of the regulators, while progressing with the appointment of a construction contractor.  Once appointed, the contractor will commence construction of the regulators, which is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

The Water Group is committed to building and maintaining respectful, trusted and collaborative relationships with communities and stakeholders to ensure water infrastructure projects achieve the best possible outcomes

During the planning and assessment phase of the project, we engaged with local landholders and the Werai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation to gain their knowledge of the way the water flows through the forest.

We will continue to work closely with these stakeholders to understand what needs to be done to minimise local impacts while the regulators are being delivered and will continue to keep the community informed as the project progresses.