Peel River hosts First Nations environmental school event

About 80 Year 7 and 11 students from high schools in Tamworth will participate in educational activities on 14 November at the site of one of 50 snags installed by WaterNSW in the Peel River. The snags provide more aquatic habitats for threatened native fish, and were installed as part of environmental offsets for the Chaffey Dam to Dungowan pipeline project.

“This collaboration will see four local Tamworth high schools, one of which is Connected Community, come together to celebrate the cultural significance of our waterways and how to respectfully care for them, and the life within them,” Walaaybaa Junior Rangers Program Project Coordinator, Jolene Faint, said.

“Gali (water) is extremely sacred to our culture and it’s inspiring to be a part of such a worthwhile learning opportunity for our young people. Building partnerships such as this amazing opportunity to collaborate with WaterNSW, will benefit the outcomes of future generations for years to come,” Jolene said.

NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said these activities were an important opportunity to teach young people about the Aboriginal significance of waterways and methods to protect the environment.

“This is a great program. It’s fantastic that these students have the opportunity to learn from the Walaaybaa Junior Rangers and from WaterNSW about the river and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and protect native fishes and vegetation right across the state.”

Activities which tie into the school curriculum and will be led WaterNSW scientists, local environmental groups and Elders include:

• Sharing cultural knowledge and stories about the Peel River, fish species, cultural practices, and traditional fish trapping.
• Explaining how the snags will provide a habitat for nationally threatened species Murray Cod and Silver Perch, as well as Platypus, Rakali and other aquatic life.
• Demonstrating how WaterNSW uses small autonomous boats to monitor water quality.
• Exploring the science of ongoing monitoring of fish numbers and other populations
• Demonstrating electrofishing – using an electrical current to temporarily stun fish to allow researchers to measure and examine fish before being released back into the water.
• Making seed bombs to help regenerate native vegetation.

WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations North, Michelle Yeaman, said WaterNSW was delighted to partner with the Traditional owners, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council (TLALC), Walaaybaa Rangers, Junior Rangers and local schools to jointly deliver the environmental educational session.

“About 80 local students will join us to explore the science behind the snagging and ongoing biodiversity monitoring work of WaterNSW, and consider connections to Aboriginal cultural knowledge of the Peel River and river life,” Michelle said.

“We’ve worked closely with our partners to co-design an approach to increase education, training, procurement and employment opportunities as part of project delivery, and help improve upon the social, economic and cultural outcomes for the Tamworth First Nations community.”

Background on snag and screen installation

WaterNSW recently completed the installation of 50 snags from reclaimed hardwood trees along a 45- kilometre section of the Peel River between Chaffey Dam and Tamworth.

A snag is an often naturally occurring partially or fully submerged trunk in a river that provides a habitat for a variety of vulnerable and native wildlife. Snags for this project were sourced from trees already removed to build the New England Solar project at Uralla.

The re-snagging is part of a package of biodiversity offsets for the Chaffey Dam to Dungowan pipeline project completed by WaterNSW in 2020 to increase water security for Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal during drought.

Work will start early next year on installing self-cleaning pump screens to protect native fish eggs and other aquatic species, and protect essential infrastructure from debris damage. WaterNSW will also be monitoring fish numbers and other populations in the area as part of the biodiversity offset plan.

The package of biodiversity offsets is being delivered through the Commonwealth approved Biodiversity Offset Plan to mitigate impacts from the temporary operation of the pipeline.