Boost for Kerang’s urban stormwater drainage system

Published on 03 September 2025

Efforts to improve Kerang’s urban stormwater drainage system have received a boost, with Gannawarra Shire Council acquiring a drain located between the Loddon River and the Murray Valley Highway.

Council and the drain’s former owners, Goulburn-Murray Water recently formalised the handover of the drain, which will provide another connection between the town’s urban stormwater network and the Loddon River.

“Acquiring this former Goulburn-Murray Water drain will benefit residents living in the southern half of Kerang, with this section of network reliant on fewer outlets compared to the northern part of the town,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson said.

“Although recently completed works along Leng Street have boosted the capacity for flows from Kerang’s drainage network to flow into our tributaries, Kerang’s urban stormwater drainage network requires additional outlets to prevent future events like what residents experienced during Christmas Day 2023 and early January 2024 from occurring, due to intense rain events and extend periods of power outages.”

Council will incorporate the drain into future improvements to Kerang’s urban stormwater drainage network, with these works to be guided by the Kerang Stormwater Drainage Study and Gannawarra Urban Stormwater Management Plan, which are currently being developed.

“As residents have seen following recently completed works to connect the Leng Street section of the urban stormwater network to an outlet that supports flows into the Loddon River, creating additional outlets that transport water outside of Kerang’s riverine flood protection levee will reduce the water back up particularly in the southern areas of town,” Mr Rollinson said.

“Goulburn-Murray Water are very pleased to have successfully worked closely with Gannawarra Shire on this drain asset project. The outcome will result in improved drainage, particularly during high rain events, for the Kerang township,” Goulburn-Murray Water Operations Manager (West), Paul Gilchrist said.

“This is a good result for all parties and the community, and an example of agencies working well together for better services.”

TOP: Goulburn-Murray Water Operations Manager (West), Paul Gilchrist (left), Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson and Goulburn-Murray Water Senior Technical Officer (West), Dean Radcliffe pictured next to the drain that will provide another connection between Kerang's urban stormwater network and the Loddon River.