17 June 2009
MARIBYRNONG “FISH HIGHWAYS”
Fish will now find it easier to migrate up and down the Maribyrnong River thanks to a $215,000 program by Melbourne Water.
The construction of four fish-ways along the river began in January this year and work has now been completed.
Melbourne Water’s General Manager of Waterways, Chris Chesterfield, said fish-ways were really like “fish highways” because they improved river passage for fish.
“Fish-ways make it easier for fish such as Galaxias, Short-finned Eels and Tupongs to swim up and down the river,” Mr Chesterfield said.
Three of the fish-ways have been built within Brimbank Park in Keilor and the fourth is upstream at Arundel weir.
The projects included improvements to the Garden Avenue Weir, the Taylors Creek Confluence Weir, and the Stenson Street Creek Crossing.
Mr Chesterfield said Melbourne Water had a target of removing 31 fish barriers in the city’s waterways by 2012/13 as part of its Healthy Waterways Initiative.
“The Healthy Waterways Initiative aims to improve the environmental health of our rivers and creeks by supporting more native animals, fish and plants.”
Since 2007, Melbourne Water has also provided three grants totalling almost $42,000 to Parks Victoria to support significant weed control and revegetation programs and rabbit proof fences in Brimbank Park.
Melbourne Water has also undertaken extensive weed control along large sections of the Maribyrnong River in Brimbank Park and will conduct revegetation this year.
The four Maribyrnong fish-ways have been delivered by the Waterways Alliance – a partnership between Melbourne Water, Ecodynamics, Fulton Hogan and SMEC.
Melbourne Water acknowledges the assistance of Parks Victoria, the Hume City Council and the Friends of Maribyrnong River in completing the works.
Media Contact: Gavin Rainsford +613 9235 1587 +61 (0)400 690 502