Grants will help fish move more freely

THE Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has received a $1.67 million grant from the federal government to remove barriers to fish passage on the lower Barwon and Moorabool rivers.

The funds will be used to plan and construct fishways to allow fish to move freely up and down the rivers to feed and breed, and to move past obstacles such as weirs and artificial rock pools.

The funds have been granted through the federal government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchment program, announced in December.

The program is part of the federal government’s commitment to restore the health of urban, outer urban/peri-urban and regional centre waterways for native plants and animals, and local communities.

On the Barwon River, the funds will support planning, design and construction of fishways at Buckley Falls and a downstream rock pool, as well as planning and design of a fishway at the nearby Baum’s Weir.

On the Moorabool River, the funds will support planning and construction of a fishway at Batesford Weir, Batesford.

“This is a fantastic investment by the federal government that will improve connectivity of these vital urban waterways and allow native fish to move and thrive, including the threatened migratory Australian grayling.”

The projects are due to be completed by the end of February 2028 and will involve partnership with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, community groups, local government, Heritage Victoria and other Victorian government.

This project is funded by the federal government’s Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.