July 1, 2019
Last week the Victorian Environmental Water Holder (VEWH) announced plans to commence works on a new fishway at the Koondrook Weir.
The Koondrook Weir has long been regarded as a ‘missing link’ in the chain and identified in the North Central Catchment Management Authorities ‘Native Fish Recovery Plan’ as a major barrier to fish migration in the Gunbower region.
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.
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.
Read the VRFish media release ‘Missing Link to be Built at Koondrook Weir’ here.
