Mildura’s historic Psyche Bend Pumping Station has re-opened to visitors following the repair of extensive damage caused by the 2022 floods.
The October 2022 floods caused varying degrees of damage to community infrastructure and assets including recreation reserves, public halls, multi-use facilities and caravan parks managed by volunteer committees of management.
The pumping station is managed by a volunteer committee of management, who re-opened and run the historic pumps during the Kings Birthday long weekend.
The Psyche Bend committee of management received almost $180,000 of funding to repair damage to the boiler house and the contents of the pump house as well as surrounding walking tracks and toilets, allowing this popular attraction to reopen to visitors.
“Re-opening the Psyche Bend Pumping Station is exciting for the local community and visitors to the area alike,” Chair of the Psyche Bend Pumping Station Committee of Management, Mildura Rural City Councillor Mark Eckel.
“The funding provided by the Victorian government has helped to ensure that this important place can continue to demonstrate the irrigation history of the Mildura region into the future.”
Psyche Bend Pumping Station is a popular heritage attraction inviting visitors to explore the story of how the irrigation system transformed the arid land of the Mildura region.
The works are jointly funded through the Albanese and Allan Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“This is a great outcome for the people of Mildura after the 2022 floods and a great example of our joint disaster recovery arrangements working to support communities in need,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt.