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General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on August 17, 2016, 11:15:09 AM
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Fishway on Bremer River
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Queensland’s longest fish ladder under construction in Ipswich
03 August 2016
Today sees the construction of Queensland’s longest fish ladder in Ipswich.
More than 80m long, 2.4m high and with 35 steps and pools, the ladder will give important native fish species easy access to their upstream homes for the first time in more than 50 years.
The project sees Ipswich City Council leading the charge in improving fish population and waterway health in South-East Queensland.
The structure is being delivered in partnership with environmental consultants and fish ecology specialists, Catchment Solutions, alongside Reef Catchments and Stanwell Corporation Limited.
“This is a huge step up, so to speak, for our native fish in the Bremer River area. There are numerous fish ladders in Queensland but none as long as 80m,” Catchment Solutions Fisheries Biologist Matt Moore said.
“Fish populations upstream of Berry’s Weir have declined significantly due to restricted fish passage and movement through the water since the weir was built in the 60s.
"For example, we know while you can catch Australian Bass downstream below the weir, people have stopped catching them upstream.
“What the ladder does is provide a series of steps and pools in a natural rock formation that allow the fish to easily ascend over the barrier, in this case the weir, by swimming, stopping for a rest and swimming again.”
Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said council was committed to helping improve local waterways.
“The challenges we face today in improving our local waterways did not come about overnight, and as such it will take several years to meet them,” he said.
“Council is committed to balancing environmental needs alongside our city’s on-going growth and making sure sustainability is front and centre for all that we do.
“This fish ladder is an important piece of infrastructure that will directly improve conditions for fish in the Bremer River and is a part of council’s strategy of focusing heavily on actions that will directly improve waterway health.”
http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/articles/2017/queenslands-longest-fish-ladder-under-construction-in-ipswich (http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/articles/2017/queenslands-longest-fish-ladder-under-construction-in-ipswich)