Kiewa fish to get better habitat

Mar 24, 2022

Snagged: Permanent pools will be developed to improve habitat for native fish in the Kiewa River.

A grant of almost $400,000 will support a project to protect threatened fish species through habitat works undertaken in the Kiewa River.

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North East Catchment Management Authority chief executive officer Katie Warner said the project would deliver in-stream and riparian habitat improvements, including re-snagging along 15km of the river, focused on three threatened fish species — trout cod, Macquarie perch and Murray cod.

Ms Warner said a major component of the program would be community involvement, with significant input to the project by Landcare groups, fishing clubs, First Nations groups and adjoining property owners.

“The work includes the provision of spawning or breeding sites through the creation of permanent pools, as well as fencing off the river to control invasive weeds and protect the riparian zone,” she said.

“This project is critical to the health of these threatened fish species due to the excessive accumulation of sand resulting from historic gold mining practices in the Yackandandah Creek catchment.”

Ms Warner said North East CMA had delivered similar projects in the Ovens and Mitta rivers, and that the project would deliver economic and employment benefits for the region via the use of local suppliers for all materials, contract machinery and labour.

The grant is from the Federal Government’s Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program.