New project to build fishway at Maffra Weir
A new fishway being designed for Maffra Weir will allow endangered and significant native fish species to travel upstream along the Macalister River.
Southern Rural Water Managing Director, Cameron FitzGerald, said recent upgrades of the Maffra Weir incorporated foresight for the potential environmental benefits, providing design opportunities to add a fishway when funding became available.
“We’re thrilled with the new Victorian Government funding to enable fish passage over Maffra Weir – the biggest inhibitor for achieving long-term fish objectives for the lower Macalister River,” Cameron said.
“Through this great partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, we’ll be able to design a project that will have significant environmental benefits for the local river system.”
The fishway will open up 35 kilometres of high-quality river habitat to species such as the Australian Bass, the culturally significant River Blackfish, and the endangered Australian Grayling.
This will strengthen the climate resilience of fish populations; allowing fish to move upstream in times of drought and quickly move back into the river reaches when wet conditions return.
Design of the fishway is expected to be complete in late 2024, with construction finished by end of 2027.
Top image (LtR): Southern Rural Water Board Deputy Chair, Michael Malouf AM and Minister for Water, the Hon Harriet Shing MP.