Thousands to help restore fish habitat

Around $360,000 has been made available for 22 freshwater and saltwater fish rehabilitation projects throughout the state, with more than double that committed in money and in kind support from the successful applicants.

Acting Manager Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation, Cameron Lay, said community groups, local councils and individuals successfully secured the funding through the Recreational Fishing Trusts for the restoration and rehabilitation of both freshwater and saltwater fish habitats.

“The 22 projects include the rehabilitation of 50 hectares of floodplain and freshwater wetlands throughout NSW, improved fish passage along 70 kms of river, the rehabilitation of saltmarsh and mangrove habitat along coastal catchments and the improvement of more than 30kms of river through riparian restoration and weed removal,” Mr Lay said.

For a full list of projects please see the tables below.

The ongoing Habitat Grant Program is a good example of how anglers’ money is being invested to support the improvement of fish habitats. The eventual outcome of projects like these is more fish in our rivers and estuaries.

“Rehabilitation of fish habitat will provide long-term sustainable benefits for native fish stocks which will provide a substantial on going benefit for anglers for many years to come.

All of the successful projects involve at least matching contributions, in kind or cash, from community groups, individuals, councils and other agencies. A total of more than $655,000 has been pledged in in-kind contributions from the successful applicants,” Mr Lay said.

The Habitat Grant Program funds have been made available through the Recreational Fishing Trusts. Funds raised through the sale of the recreational fishing licence are placed into two trusts, one for saltwater and one for freshwater. Expenditure from both trusts is overseen by expert angler committees who advise how the money should be spent.

Table 1. Details of Successful applicants for the Freshwater Habitat Grant Program

Applicant Title Location Proposal Summary Funds Awarded
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Research project to improve habitat rehabilitation methods Yanco Weir, Murrumbidgee catchment Field testing of a fish pump fishway (new design) at Yanco weir on the Murrumbidgee River

$10,800
David and Alison Trowbridge Revegetation and fencing Molong Creek (Macquarie Catchment) Revegetation of the creek bank and provision of stock proof fencing

$2100
Orara Valley Rivercare Groups Management Committee Fish Passage enhancement- road crossing upgrade Orana River (Richmond catchment) Construction of a fishway at the causeway site to open up an additional 20km of fish passage

$27,500
Wentworth Shire Council Thegoa Lagoon fish passage project Junction of the Murray and Darling river catchments Replace existing blockbank and pipe with 3 box culvert

$26,600
Shoalhaven City Council Rehabilitation of Broughton Mill and Broughton Creek Broughton Creek  and Broughton Mill Creek (Shoalhaven Catchment) Rehabilitation of the riparian zone by weed removal, replanting with native vegetation

$27,378
G & M Fleming Rehabilitation of Maguires Creek riparian zone Maguires Creek (Richmond catchment) Weed control and replanting with native vegetation 450m

$4000
Sam and Penny Deshon Restoration of the riparian zone Macquarie River 15km west of Wellington Activities will include, weed removal. Replanting with natives, fencing to exclude stock. Assessment of the site will follow on ground works

$6500
Richmond Valley Council Improve fish passage in the Richmond catchment Richmond River at Casino Improve fish passage by removal of Norco weir. Other activities are mentioned such as resnagging etc

$25,000
Boggabri Landcare/Rivercare Group Inc Riparian rehabilitation of the Namoi River Namoi River at Boggabri Removal of willows and revegetation with native plants

$5682
Gloucester Shire Council Improve fish passage in the Gloucester River Gloucester River (Manning catchment) Construction of a partial width rock ramp fishway

$8450
Eurobodalla Shire Council Improve fish passage by replacement of a causeway Buckenbowra River (Clyde Catchment) Removal of a causeway on Quart Pot Road. Replacement with a box culvert. Will open up 18kms of fish passage

$30,000
Khancoban Station Swampy plains Creek Rehabilitation Swampy Plains Creek (Murray catchment) Activities include replacement of a road crossing with a box culvert, removal of willow species, replanting with natives and fencing

$7000
Alandale Farm Rehabilitation of the riparian zone- Wilson River Wilson River (Richmond catchment Activities include removal of weed species, replanting with natives.

$9350
Tamworth Regional Council Fish Passage  on the Manilla River Manilla River (Namoi catchment) Modification of Barraba weir and removal of willow species

$10,000

 

Table 2. Details of Successful applicants for the Saltwater Habitat Grant program

Applicant Title Location Proposal Summary Funds Awarded
Bankstown City Council Estuarine habitat improvement Little salt pan Creek (Georges catchment) Activities will include rubbish removal, weed removal, replanting, removal remnants of a weir, remove sediment, erect a raised pathway, interpretative signage

$20,000
Byron Shire Council Rehabilitation of the Brunswick river Brunswick river in Mullumbimby A variety of activities will take place; weed removal and replanting of the riparian zone, reintroduction of tidal inundation by the construction of a box culvert; Stock restriction by fencing, monitoring of tidal inundation, interpretative signage and education days

$30,000
Bega Valley Shire Council Protection and enhancement of the riparian zone Pambula Lake Activities include fencing of the foreshore and establishing native riparian vegetation

$5000
Brunswick Valley Landcare Inc Rehabilitation of the riparian zone Mullumbimby Creek (Brunswick catchment) Activities include weed removal replanting with native and community education.

$8522
Fred Welsh Wetland rehabilitation Micalo Island (Clarence Catchment) Fence Oyster Creek bank to prevent cattle access. Removal of weed species to allow natural regeneration

$7306
Duck unlimited Pty Ltd Wetland rehabilitation Little Broadwater wetland -Sportmans Creek (Clarence Catchment) Incentive payments to landowners to increase amount of habitat reserved for the aquatic environment. Continuation of a DPI initiated project.

$30,000
Ocean Watch Australia Ltd. Saltmarsh Rehabilitation George Kendell Park (Parramatta River Catchment) Activities will include excavation and removal of fill currently on the site, soil testing, collect seed and propagate plants, planting of saltmarsh and erection of signs.

$30,000
Tweed Shire Council Rehabilitation of the Tweed River floodplain Tweed Catchment nstallation of 3 fish friendly tidal floodgates

$30,000