July 1, 2019
VRFish, the peak body representing Victoria’s 838,000 recreational fishers, commends the recent announcement from the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), declaring the construction of a new fishway to take place on the Koondrook Weir, thanks to a recent funding boost.
VRFish Chairman, Mr. Rob Loats, said “The ability to migrate is very important to many of our native fish species, including the iconic Murray cod. Constructing the Koondrook fishway is a fantastic project that will help to restore native fish stocks on the Gunbower Creek.”
Large numbers of native fish often congregate at the Koondrook Weir and are unable to access the habitat rich waters of the Gunbower Creek. The new fishway will allow thousands of native fish to move freely upstream, allowing access to 120 kilometres of prime fish habitat. ‘Fish friendly’ gates will also allow fish to move safely between the Gunbower Creek and the Murray River, allowing unrestricted access to the Murray River’s 2,225 kilometres of free passage.
“VRFish recognised the need for a fishway at Koondrook, and at the last Victorian Election, advocated on behalf of recreational fishers for funding to build this important missing link.”
“It is very exciting to see the project will now go ahead thanks to funding from the VEWH, and will provide benefits to numerous native fish species. It is a great outcome for Victorian anglers and the recreational fishing opportunities this project will provide. We are extremely pleased that the VEWH has reinvested the funds from the sale of environmental water back into a project that benefits both the environment and recreational fishing”
VRFish worked closely with the North Central Catchment Management Authority on the ‘Native Fish Recovery Plan’, which listed the Koondrook Weir as a major barrier to fish migration, and prevented access to thousands of native fish to upstream spawning habitat.
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH), North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), Goulburn-Murray Water and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) have all agreed to the proposed Koondrook fishway, with construction expected to start in 2021.
