Funding now available to help fishy friends in the Namoi

The Namoi River and its fishy friends are about to get a helping hand with fish habitat funding now available to help improve river health and increase the fish population.

Applications for funding from the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund are invited from landholders adjacent to the Namoi River and associated tributaries, and local councils, community groups and fishing clubs, along the 150 kilometre strip from Gunnedah to downstream of Narrabri.

Project coordinator, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries Conservation Manager, Milly Hobson, encouraged landholders to apply for fish habitat funding and become involved in the project.

"Funding is available for a range of on-ground works including fencing and revegetation, control of woody weeds, establishment of off-stream stock watering points and the planting of windbreaks and wildlife corridors that connect areas to the river," she said.

"Activities undertaken by the local community will help protect and enhance native fish habitat, water quality and overall river health.

"At the same time the increased the carbon held in trees and native vegetation will help to tackle climate change.

"This stretch of the river forms the Namoi demonstration reach, an ongoing project that showcases river health improvement activities landholders can use to increase biodiversity and protect the local environment.

"A considerable amount of on-ground work has already been completed throughout the reach over the last five years, and this new partnership will add value to those successful river and wetland rehabilitation activities."

Ms Hobson said habitat degradation along waterways has placed extreme pressure on native fish, with some important species such as Murray Cod, Silver Perch and the Freshwater Catfish now listed as threatened species.

"Our aim with this project is to turn the situation around, by providing landholders with funding to undertake works that deliver on-farm benefits as well," Ms Hobson said.

"Landholders and community groups can find out more about this program and receive assistance in developing ideas or project plans by getting in touch with me."

Milly Hobson can be contacted by email at milly.hobson@dpi.nsw.gov.au or by telephone on 02 6763 1206.

Expression of Interest forms and additional project information are available at the DPI website.

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