Lennox River Channel Weir

Statement of Significance

• The construction of the Weir and the floodgates demonstrates the importance that the government placed on the conversion of swampy land, which was constantly inundated by saltwater, into productive arable land. The Lennox River Channel Weir was part of an extensive drainage programme in the South West which was first implemented
in the 1910s.

• The Weir and floodgates are associated with the development of Busselton as an important agricultural district in the South West.

• The Lennox River Channel Weir demonstrates construction techniques which are no longer practised by the Water Corporation, to solve the problems of drainage and flooding.

• The Lennox River Channel is important to farmers in the Lennox Drainage area as it provides them with larger areas of arable land and contributes to the community sense of place.

Physical Description

This place was not visited in this 2024 review. The following description is drawn from the 2013

The Lennox River Weir and flood gates are located some distance up the Lennox River near Busselton and can only be accessed by four wheel drives. The structure is located in a rural environment which is composed of farmland and natural bush.

The downstream sides of the river bank are inclined and faced with concrete. Short side walls, constructed from concrete, extend out from both sides of the river bank and in between these are the stop boards and floodgates. Running across the width of the river is a concrete sill. The timber stop boards run from the western riverbank to across to the eastern side. There are five sets of stop boards which are supported between grooved steel uprights. These uprights are braced on the upstream side by pairs of steel plates. Wedges placed at either end of each top board ensure that the boards remain snug. The two floodgates are constructed with a steel frame which has been covered vertical Oregon boards. The tall gate levers are constructed from steel.

The new steel mesh crosswalk is a cantilevered platform supported by timber beams placed on steel struts which extend outwards, on the upstream side, on the upright steel stop board supports. A diagonal steel strut provides additional support for the horizontal struts. The handrails are secured to the projecting ends of the timber beams. Due to the high level of the water on both sides of the Weir, it was not possible to determine what lining was used at the base of the Weir.

History

Several rivers ran through this area: the Vasse, Abba Sabina, New and Lennox. Often in the winter time these rivers would spread out over the low lying areas before finding their own way to the sea - Whilst the swampy nature of the area had initially attracted the first settlers, it was soon realised that larger areas of land could be brought under cultivation if only they could be drained and the detrimental effect of saltwater contamination (most problematical during the winter months), controlled.

One of the first attempts at draining the land was made by Captain John Molloy sometime during the 1850s. The Lennox River, which flowed through his land, was originally prevented by sandbanks from flowing into the sea. Molloy made a cut between the river and the shore to allow the river to flow out to sea. This cut became known as "Molloy's Ditch".

The Land Drainage Act was passed by Parliament in 1900, amendments to the Act were made in 1902 and 1904. Following this Act, a number of drainage programmes were implemented throughout the South West. The creation of the Lennox Drainage District was approved in March 1910. This district covered land to the west and south of Busselton and included the New and Lennox Rivers. The Drainage District was governed by a Board comprising six elected members. Three of these members later resigned leading to the Board becoming unconstitutional.

The settlers constructed a cut across the New River in 1914 and constructed floodgates across the cut to prevent saltwater flowing back down the new drain. As the cut crossed the main road to Yallingup (now Bussell Highway), the floodgates were attached to the new road bridge. However, the Board ran into difficulties when it attempted to collect rates (to pay for the construction of the gates and drain), from settlers living in the Lennox Drainage District. One of the settlers successfully took the Board to court which ruled that the Board was unconstitutional as it only had three members. As there was no Board, the government was not keen to expend any further monies on drainage in the Lennox area and matters lapsed, although letters were frequently sent to Perth, by both settlers and the Sussex Roads Board, complaining about inundation of saltwater and freshwater flooding.

Problems with the Locke's Swamp floodgates finally led the Department of Water, Sewerage and Drainage to commission a survey of the whole area. In July 1927, the government approved the construction of several drainage ditches in the Lennox Drainage District and gazetted its intention to resume several portions of land in the area where the drains would be required. Sir James Mitchell, who owned Lot 9 was agreeable to the land resumption, however Mr A.N.G. Rose, who owned Lot 10, was not satisfied that he would be able to access the land as a new drainage cut would create two islands on his property which would be hard to access. After months of negotiations, Mr Rose finally ceded the land to the Government. Work on the gates began sometime during 1928. The work involved cutting a new drainage channel on the southern side of the Lennox River and installing a weir. The present structure appears to date from the 1940s as the steel uprights suggest a construction date later than the 1920s. This new Weir, which was also fitted with a pair of floodgates, was originally fitted with jarrah stop boards. However, they were found to be too heavy to be moved easily and so were replaced with Oregon boards. The stop boards continue to be removed during the summer months.

During the 1990s, a new galvanised iron, mesh walkway and handrails were fitted across the Weir wall.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Degree/High Degree
Integrity Notes: High – performing original function.
Authenticity Notes: The structure has retained a high degree of authenticity despite the addition of new metal handrails to the superstructure during the 1990s.

Condition

The structure appears to be in good condition structurally, although the steel supports are rusting.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.