Peel River snags improving native fish health

“I’m delighted we’ve now passed the halfway mark on this important local environmental project,” said WaterNSW General Manager Regional Operations North, Michelle Yeaman, who is based in Armidale.

“We’re installing snags from reclaimed hardwood trees along a 30-kilometre section of river between Chaffey Dam and Tamworth.

“The snags will provide a habitat for Murray Cod and Silver Perch, both nationally threatened species. Platypus, Rakali and other aquatic biodiversity will also benefit.

“When the re-snagging project is complete, we’ll be monitoring fish numbers and other populations in the area as part of the biodiversity offset plan,” Michelle said.

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 work 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.

The next stage of biodiversity offsets will include installing self-cleaning pump screens to protect native fish eggs and other aquatic species, and protect essential infrastructure from debris damage.

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

Abergeldie are the contractors installing the snags. Work is expected to be completed by late 2024, weather permitting.