$113,000 to restore NSW freshwater fish habitats

The Director-General of NSW Fisheries, Steve Dunn, today announced a second round of funding worth $113,000 to help rehabilitate freshwater fish habitats throughout NSW.

Mr Dunn said funding for 14 projects would rehabilitate about 80 hectares of floodplain and freshwater wetlands throughout NSW.

These projects include: removing obstacles to fish movement along 40 km of river; reintroducing large woody debris into 7km of river to create habitat for native fish; and rehabilitating over 30km riverbanks by removing weeds and replanting native vegetation. A small number of research projects will look at issues such as fish passage design and improving water flows to wetlands.

"The Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust, which distributes funds raised from recreational fishing licences, has set aside $300,000 over three years to rehabilitate NSW's freshwater fish habitats", said Mr Dunn.

"Today's announcement covers the second funding round and is a good example of how anglers' money is being invested to support efforts in improving fish habitats and consequently wild fish stocks."

"Freshwater fish such as Australian bass, golden perch, Murray cod, eastern freshwater cod, freshwater catfish and freshwater mullet will directly benefit from the work being done to rehabilitate the areas where fish feed, breed and live."

"In the Eurobodalla Shire, 32 hectares of habitat for Australian bass will be protected on the Deua River. The project includes removing weeds such as privet, willows and wild tobacco along the riverbank."

"On the Murrumbidgee near Narrandera, the Murrumbidgee Wetlands Working Group will monitor the impact of flood on fish movement and behaviour, water quality, aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna.'

"Their findings will help improve the management of environmental flows and their impact on vital River Red Gum floodplain ecosystems."

Funding in this round of grants has also been approved to rehabilitate 750 metres of foreshore along the Duckmaloi River, near Oberon, an area that currently provides habitat for platypus as well as brown and rainbow trout fish species.

Mr Dunn said the projects all involve matching funding from community groups, individuals, councils and other agencies. Details of the allocations under the Freshwater Habitat Grant Program are as follows:

Applicant

Grant

Proposal

Ballina Shire Council

$10,000

Modification of road crossing on Skinner Creek allowing fish to move freely between the headwaters and the Richmond River Estuary. Modification will open up 30km of fish habitat.

Cudgegong Catchment Committee

$8,805

Rehabilitation of 4km of fish habitat on the Cudgegong River. The project will improve the health of the river in a popular fishing area.

Murrumbidgee Wetlands Working Group

$10,000

Monitoring the impact of flood on fish movement and behaviour, water quality, aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, over a two-years Findings will help improve the management of environmental flows and their impact on River Red Gum floodplain ecosystems.

Gloucester Shire Council

$8,090

Improving the movement of fish past the Faulkland Road causeway, a significant barrier to fish at the lower end of the Gloucester River.

Greening Australia

$10,000

Rehabilitation of 3 hectares of riverbank.

Mid-Lachlan & Wallamundry Creek Water Users

$10,000

Rehabilitation of 20 hectares of riverbank, removal of introduced pest species, such as willow trees, and establishment of native vegetation

Clarence River Wilderness Lodge

$3,850

Rehabilitation of 1 hectare of riverbank, including weed removal. Continuation of work from first round of funding.

Eurobodalla Shire Council

$9,000

Protection of 32 hectares of habitat of Australian Bass in the Deua River, including the removal of exotic weeds such as privot, willows and wild tobacco along the riverbank.

Jack Buttsworth

$1,965

Regeneration of a wetland ecosystem, in the Bellinger Catchment, Urunga, by fencing the area to exclude stock and to control weed species such as Groundsel bush.

Wentworth Shire Council

$10,000

Feasibility study to discover the best option for fish passage at an existing road crossing and pipeline works at the western end of Thegoa Lagoon.

Snowy River Interstate Landcare Committee

$10,000

Rehabilitation of 7 km of riverbank along the Bombala River, to build on previous willow removal works; 2 km weed control and 1 km of native revegetation with 2000 plants.

University of New England

$10,000

Research to increase effectiveness of fishways on the Namoi and Gwydir Rivers, North of Armidale

Riverina Highlands Landcare Network

$8,200

Rehabilitate 3km of river foreshore along the

Goobarragandra River, a renowned trout fishing stream.

Duckmaloi River Rivercare Group/Lithgow-Oberon Landcare

$3,850

Rehabilitation of 750 metres of foreshore along the Duckmaloi River, near Oberon. The area currently provides habitat for platypus as well as brown and rainbow trout fish species.

Media inquiries: Nick Bleszynski (02) 8437 4915 or 0419 185 375.