Kent Street Weir’s contribution to the development of agricultural practices along the Canning River in the early 1900s has been recognised by its inclusion on the State Heritage Register.

Heritage Minister John Castrilli said the area of Cannington where the weir is located originally contained market gardens watered from the river and supplied food to the region. 

Salt water threatened to affect agricultural land upstream so local farmers built a sandbag barrier in 1911.

“Residents wanted a more permanent structure to protect the freshwater flora and fauna in the river and began their quest for change,” Mr Castrilli said.

“For more than 15 years, local farmers lobbied the Government with petitions and, during the process of discussions, physically placed sandbags across the river each year until the weir was completed in 1927.”

Click here to read the full statement.


Read about why the Kent Street Weir is significant to Western Australia. Read more about the history of the Kent Street Weir.

Visit inHerit to view more places in the State Register of Heritage Places