Fish friendly councils top tip 10

10. Promote your fish friendly work to the wider community

Local councils are increasingly taking an interest in the health of their aquatic habitats and each year invest millions of dollars on managing The environment at the local level. Your council may already be doing great work but do the ratepayers know? Involving the community in your fish-friendly projects will increase awareness of the positive things being done to maintain and improve river health and the multiple benefits this provides to the community. Active community involvement will also encourage respect of the natural environment and support for your works.

Council can ....

• develop positive stories of fish habitat rehabilitation and raise awareness in the local community
• use the expertise of a sustainability or environment officer to build capacity in your local community, identify issues requiring attention and
• manage rehabilitation projects
• support and promote local schools involved in caring for rivers, creeks, wetlands and fish
• hold or encourage community events such as World Environment Day, World Wetlands Day, Clean Up Australia Day or develop your own annual event.

Case study: Darawakh Creek / Frogalla Swamp wetland rehabilitation: sharing success with the local community – Great Lakes Council

Events such as these, to engage the local community, were highlighted as an important part of the Darawakh Creek / Frogalla Swamp wetland rehabilitation project. Image Great Lakes Council

In 2004 Great Lakes Council embarked on an ambitious project to reduce acid outflow coming from the 929 ha Darawakh Creek / Frogalla Swamp wetland complex by up to 80 per cent. This significant goal aimed to improve the health of the downstream environment which includes the Wallamba River and Wallis Lake – a popular recreational fishery, commercial fishing grounds and oyster farming area. Within a relatively short time frame Council and their partners achieved this major goal and in recognition of this feat ensured they shared the success with the Great Lakes community. A series of community days, media releases and wetland walks ensured the community were involved in and had some ownership of the project. More ...

See also

• 1. Find out about your local fish populations
• 2. Help protect key fish habitat in Council planning processes
• 3. Ensure council infrastructure is fish friendly
• 4. Treat stormwater prior to discharge
• 5. Protect and manage buffer areas
• 6. Maintain and enhance public reserves for river health
• 7. Collaborate with your neighbouring councils
• 8. Support local groups working on fish friendly projects (for example: Rivercare, Landcare, Indigenous groups, Fishing clubs)
• 9. Educate your local community about fish and river health