Insulator Creek to get farm-friendly fish passage

Native fish are getting a helping hand in Insulator Creek thanks to a project that’s removing  barriers to fish movement, and replacing them with farm and fish-friendly alternatives.

Fourth-generation cane farmer Michael Reinaudo says he hopes creek crossing modifications on his property will bring fish species further upstream.

A pipe culvert causeway crossing has been replaced with a concrete bed-level crossing, and a fish ladder has been added further along the creek as part of the ‘Fish Homes and Highways’ project being delivered by Terrain NRM and funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.

Terrain’s Rowan Shee said work was underway at some weirs, roads, crossings and other fish barriers in the Murray River and lower Herbert River catchments, after inspections of waterways to determine the priority spots for remediation. Insulator Creek is south of Ingham.

“When native fish can’t access different habitats needed for their breeding cycle, it can impact overall species population and diversity,” he said.

“Many of the barriers we’re focusing on are historical. We now know how to build infrastructure in more fish-friendly ways.

“The best outcome for fish is achieved when the infrastructure allows water to flow across the full channel width, and natural components of the creek are retained or replicated – like riffles and eddies, rocky areas, and different creek bed textures. This creates natural resting spots for small fish like baby empire gudgeon and barra, which are not strong swimmers.”

Mr Reinaudo said the work was starting to gain interest and traction in the farming community.

“The idea of fish passage wasn’t on our radar until Terrain approached us, but we found the concept really interesting and wanted to get involved,’’ he said.