Opening Up Habitat For Native Fish In Northern Victoria

[fishingvic]

Opening Up Habitat For Native Fish In Northern Victoria

Media contact: Nikki Mott 0416 311 214 | elwpmedia@minstaff.vic.gov.au
Friday, 28 June 2019
OPENING UP HABITAT FOR NATIVE FISH IN NORTHERN VICTORIA
Thousands of native fish will freely move between the River Murray and the rich habitat of Gunbower Creek thanks to a funding boost from the autumn sale of water for the environment.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville today welcomed the Victorian Environmental Water Holder’s (VEWH) successful sale of 10 gigalitres of Murray River environmental water allocation in the northern Victorian water market.
VEWH determined that the water was not required this year or needed to be set aside for next year and sold it back to irrigators – using the proceeds to enable fish passage on the Koondrook weir on Gunbower Creek.
Construction of a fishway at Koondrook will deliver long term environmental benefits, opening up prime habitat for Golden Perch and Murray Cod.
Fish studies have found masses of native fish in the Murray River are unable to get through the Koondrook weir into Gunbower Creek, preventing migrating spawning events and denying them habitat in the internationally recognised Gunbower Forest system.
The project will also install ‘fish friendly’ gates to allow fish to more safely move from Gunbower Creek into the Murray River, giving them access to the 2,225 kilometres of fish passages in the Murray River.
VEWH holds, manages and uses Victoria’s environmental water entitlements to protect the health of the rivers, waterways and landscapes that people love and use.
Water set aside for the environment has strict rules governing its sale. Any trade by the VEWH must protect the environment, be in the public interest and have no adverse impacts on the community.
The Koondrook fishway project is expected to cost $4.5 million and will be delivered in partnership between VEWH, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville “This is a win-win – putting water on the market for farmers at a time critical for autumn watering and using the proceeds to build a permanent structure to connect fish habitats and support native fish populations.” “As well as improving native fish numbers and helping them move between waterways, this project will be a big boost for the region’s anglers.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Environmental Water Holder Chairperson Denis Flett “The Koondrook fishway is an example of how we can sell unused water for the environment and use the revenue generated to boost native fish populations through investing in infrastructure.”

[Bugatti]

This is great for Victoria , , , , at the expense of the other states along the Murray Darling. Well done Victorian Government for being "Victorian" and not being "Australian".

It is yet another example of the Self Serving nature of the Victorian Government (as is also the NSW Government) when it comes to their access to the Murray Darling Waterways (who actually wants to pull out of the Murray Darling Basin management plan).


"VEWH determined that the water was not required this year or needed to be set aside for next year"


If the water is not required , , , , then give it back to the States up-stream who were forced to relinquish their right to it. OR allow it to flow down stream to South Australia who we are in dire need of it and were also force to surrender their entitlement to that water allocation.

Instead of profiteering from it.




Water set aside for the environment has strict rules governing its sale. Any trade by the VEWH must protect the environment, be in the public interest and have no adverse impacts on the community.


Firstly and for-mostly, these "strict rules" were intended for the well-being and governance of the total Murray Darling , , , , not just it's blind application to the part that flows through Victoria with disregard to the rest. Victorian waterways are only a small picture of the true intent of "environment water allocation" which is the over-all health of the Murray Darling. , , , , So the Victorian Government looks after itself , , , , at the expense of the Australian environment, at the expense of the Australian public interest and with an adverse impact on the Australian community.

So water set aside for the environment, the Australian environment, for the Victorian Government to manage their part of the Murray Darling, is NOT being used for the purpose it was specifically allocated for, the Australian environment BUT is sold for profit, at the expense of the other States.



Now, I'm not trying to insight an argument, or trolling. I am not having a "go" at the Victorian people, just the Victorian Government , , , , I'm just trying to highlight the bigger picture.



Fish kills from low water flows upstream , , , , water that was relinquished for downstream States , , , , like Victoria

Our South Australian waterways, from obviously not enough water flow

The Coorong is dying , , , , it is not a South Australian problem, it is an Australian problem. PLUS, the upstream States use us as a toilet , , , , flush their stuff down to us with little water

Bug

[Lightningx]

Good to hear!
That’s great news :thumbsup:

[Texas]

MDBA has cost "us" $12 billion & have accomplished SFA (That's right, billion)
Now Adani has been given the green light, NSW, VIC & SA won't get any water (I'm not 100% sure that Adani is in the "flow" to the Murray Darling). I do know that when I returned from Nth Queensland, in early April, I crossed the Darling river (nth NSW?) and it was not flowing, just pools of water.
Cheers Gra