McCauley Weir set to reopen to the public for six-month trial

The once popular McCauley Weir will open to visitors after a decade-long debate on its roads, but there are conditions including paying a $100 key deposit.

Councillor Jane Erkens has been campaigning to reopen access to McCauley Weir.

After years of campaigning and the backing of the South Burnett Regional Council, the McCauley Weir will open to the public again after more than 12 years.

The weir is southeast of Nanango on Cooyar Creek, near the Seven Mile Diggings, and was constructed in 1953 as a water supply for Nanango.

It was a popular spot with canoeists, fishers, bushwalkers and bird watchers, however, due to flood-damaged roads and vandalism, a locked gate was installed on the road and in March 2012, the council voted to continue blocking public use when they deemed the access road unsafe.

Councillor Jane Erkens is excited about the change.

“There are many of our roads in much worse condition and even the road leading up to the gate is worse than the road inside,” Ms Erkens said.

McCauley Weir is set to reopen to the public.

“The community has been trying to regain access to the weir since 2013.”

At the December 2022 ordinary council meeting, Ms Erkens moved the motion to open up access to the weir for a six-month trial with conditions.

In July 2023, five of the councillors voted to reopen access and allocate $90k for safety upgrades to McCauley Weir Rd which started in December 2023.

Mayor Brett Otto voted against the motion.

There will be a number of keys available at the Nanango council office which can be obtained with a deposit of $100, to be refunded when the key is returned.

McCauley Weir is set to reopen to the public.

“The key is not to be held for any longer than two days,” Ms Erkens said.

“Those people who wish to obtain a key for access are given an agreement to sign acknowledging that they will drive to the conditions of the road, agree to take all rubbish away and leave nothing there, agree they need to make their own arrangements for toileting.

“Their dogs must be kept under control, no fuel motors on the water, keep to the roads, no four-wheel driving off road, no motorbikes off the road.”

Nanango's Paul Wirth outside the locked gate blocking public access to McCauley Weir. Photo: Jordan Philp / South Burnett Times.

Although the majority of feedback has been supportive, there have been some concerns from locals.

“Should be interesting to see how many people decide to ignore the rules and spoil it for everyone,” one resident said.

Another local shared similar sentiments and addressed concern for the residents who live near the weir.

“Respect the properties and owners that live there, they are not public properties,” he said.

Ms Erkens said some of the private properties near the weir who have concerns use it freely themselves.

“It appears that some residents in that area believed that they had exclusive use of a public road and community asset,” she said.

The trial is expected to start in coming weeks.

Originally published as McCauley Weir set to reopen to the public for six-month trial