Rachel Strachan and her daughter Ashley from "Tulney Point" visit the Burtundy Weir on the Darling River. Fish downstream of the weir try to swim past during higher flows, but are unable to do so.

Farmers are joining forces with government to help increase native fish numbers in the Lower Murray-Darling catchment through a variety of fish habitat rehabilitation activities.

Funding from the Lower Murray-Darling Catchment Management Authority has allowed landholders and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to develop a range of projects, including the construction of a fishway at Burtundy Weir and the development of in-stream habitat and riparian vegetation management plans along a stretch of the Darling River.

The projects focus on a 25 kilometre priority reach adjoined by 10 landholders’ properties and chosen because it has great potential for improvements that will boost native fish numbers.

Tulney Point property owner, Laurie Strachan, is looking forward to being involved in the project and says a fishway at Burtundy Weir will have a significant impact by allowing fish move past the weir.

“I have seen fish downstream of the weir trying to swim past during higher flows, but they are unable to do so,” Mr Strachan said.

“A fishway at this site will allow these fish to swim upstream and breed successfully.”

The fishway construction will create a 234 kilometre length of the Darling River free from barriers to fish movement.

The in-stream habitat and riparian vegetation management plans to be developed in conjunction with the fishway project will help to identify other habitat rehabilitation activities.

Mark King, Chair of the Authority said the project would contribute to the achievement of the catchment’s targets.

“The new fishway and associated habitat rehabilitation projects will help increase the numbers of native fish by directly addressing their needs for food, shelter and free movement”.

With funding now assured, the projects are scheduled to start in the current financial year.