Lights go on at Harvey water project

Residents are invited to celebrate the completion of the final stage of the Harvey Diversion Enhancement Project when the new lighting will be switched on tonight.

The project commemorates the labour of more than 2500 men during the Great Depression in 1931/32 who dug 22km of drain from Harvey to Myalup with shovels.

The lights are set to shine over the water which will cascade down the walls of the diversion at 8pm.

Spot and coloured lights will highlight the artwork and the east and west banks, where water will fountain up before running down the walls to be recycled.

An authentic, horse-drawn scoop, which Harvey resident Graeme Gardiner found more than 30 years ago near the diversion and donated, features in the project.

A “Wheelbarrow Man” sculpture by Peter Cook will also be installed adjacent to the rock wall, while new interpretative signs and landscaping will complement the project.

“This is the culmination of 10 years of work and community input to come up with the idea,” project coordinator David Marshall said.

“Various groups and individuals have worked together to create a significant and meaningful memorial to capture one of the major engineering works during the Depression. “For many years this was a derelict and overgrown site and it is now a positive area featuring a part of Harvey’s history.

“The enhancement project creates pride and is a tourist attraction as an entry statement to town.”

Mr Marshall said the lighting and water display would operate every night, especially during the holiday period and hours would be adjusted according to community input.