Fish passage consultation charges forward

The NSW Government is continuing to meet with remote and rural communities in the state’s west to explain new infrastructure projects designed to enable native fish to move more easily through regional waterways, support ongoing river health and maintain town water security.

Representatives from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be in Louth in early May to provide more detail about Phase 1 of the Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin project and answer questions from locals.

It’s the latest in a series of public meetings to ensure the community is kept informed and has an opportunity to provide feedback, with events held in Collarenebri and Walgett in early April, along with engagement with local Aboriginal groups across 2023 and 2024.

The project aims to create a connected water ‘highway’ for fish, so they can swim unrestricted along rivers through the north-west of the state, even during drier times, which will better protect habitats, improve their overall health and allow native fish populations to flourish.

This work will also help address water security concerns through the implementation of innovative options and designs including addressing a number of water leakage issues.

Phase 1 of the project includes:

• Construction of fishways at Banarway Weir, Calmundi Weir and Louth (downstream) Weir
• Removal of an unlicenced structure at Mount Murchison
• Reinstating 370km of fish passages along the Barwon-Darling River system

The drop in-session will be held at: the Louth Town Hall at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on 7 May.

For more information, visit: Fish passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project

Quotes attributable to Andrew Lavelle, Director of Infrastructure Projects, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water:

“These waterways are the lifeblood of small towns, and we know people who live in the area and right across NSW want to see them well looked after which is why we are getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure that facilitates healthy rivers and healthy fish while still protecting town water security.

“It’s been great getting out on the ground in recent weeks to meet with locals face-to-face and hear directly about their thoughts on these fish passage projects happening nearby.

“The upcoming session in Louth will continue that narrative and provide another opportunity for residents to understand the nuts and bolts of the project and ask questions.

“We’ve kept it simple so no need to book, just turn up. As we’ve said before, we’re urging everyone to come along because their voices will help shape the final look of the project.”