Fish-friendly Road Crossing Provides 30 Km More Habitat For Fish

[Ken A]

Fish-friendly modifications to the Tooheys Mill road crossing over Skinners Creek at Fernleigh, completed this week, allow fish better access to 30 kilometres of upstream habitat.

“With a $10,000 contribution from the Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust, Ballina Council have removed the old concrete causeway and replaced it with a bridge,” said Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.

“It means the removal of the only physical barrier to fish migration between the source and the sea in the Skinners Creek catchment,” he said.

Skinners Creek enters the Wilsons River at Booyong which ultimately flows to the Richmond estuary at Ballina.

“Removing barriers to fish movement is a key way to rehabilitate fish habitats throughout NSW,” the Minister said.

“With the barrier gone increased recruitment of migratory fish species such as Australian Bass (locally known as Perch) and mullet is expected.

“Greater access to good quality habitat in which fish can feed, breed and find good shelter provides for more recreational fish.

“That’s why the Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust are happy to fund such projects.”

DPI fisheries conservation manager Patrick Dwyer said that for Council, modifying these crossings generally results in less maintenance and a safer crossing for residents.

Mr Dwyer said his role was to provide advice on how to minimise the impacts of development on aquatic habitats.

The Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust distributes funds raised from recreational fishing licences.

Media contact: Phil Bevan 02 6626 1350, 0429 458 053

[abitfishy]

Good to see them spending some money.

They want to remove the old woronora weir near 'The Needles' for the same reason, which I understand, however I'm in two minds - the area and weir has historic significance being part of the road built in the 1800's to get from the city towards woolongong over the river, but it also threatens the future of the Bass. Building a fishway under the weir would solve the problem, but because the road is only used for bushwalkers now, they don't really care about the history - just rip it up they say.

I think there would be less conflict between historical societies & greenies/conservationists if everyone took a step back and thought about other possiblities. It doesn't take much to please everyone, really.

My 2 cents worth anyway!

Fish-friendly modifications to the Tooheys Mill road crossing over Skinners Creek at Fernleigh, completed this week, allow fish better access to 30 kilometres of upstream habitat.

“With a $10,000 contribution from the Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust, Ballina Council have removed the old concrete causeway and replaced it with a bridge,” said Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.

“It means the removal of the only physical barrier to fish migration between the source and the sea in the Skinners Creek catchment,” he said.

Skinners Creek enters the Wilsons River at Booyong which ultimately flows to the Richmond estuary at Ballina.

“Removing barriers to fish movement is a key way to rehabilitate fish habitats throughout NSW,” the Minister said.

“With the barrier gone increased recruitment of migratory fish species such as Australian Bass (locally known as Perch) and mullet is expected.

“Greater access to good quality habitat in which fish can feed, breed and find good shelter provides for more recreational fish.

“That’s why the Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust are happy to fund such projects.”

DPI fisheries conservation manager Patrick Dwyer said that for Council, modifying these crossings generally results in less maintenance and a safer crossing for residents.

Mr Dwyer said his role was to provide advice on how to minimise the impacts of development on aquatic habitats.

The Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust distributes funds raised from recreational fishing licences.

Media contact: Phil Bevan 02 6626 1350, 0429 458 053