Local community members are invited to attend a free event in Cohuna on 22 July to hear about fish monitoring results from Gunbower Creek and provide local knowledge.

The evening, held from 6.30 pm – 9.00 pm, aims to highlight the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s Gunbower Creek Riparian and Aquatic Habitat Restoration and Reconnection Project, including results of recent local fish surveys.

Representatives of the Gunbower Reconnection Project will attend, including key presenters from the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Primary Industries, Goulburn-Murray Water and the North Central CMA. An overview of the project will be provided, and community members will have an opportunity to ask questions of presenters.

The project involves fencing along Gunbower Creek to exclude stock, and revegetation with indigenous species along 10 km of waterway. A fishway will also be designed and installed at Thompson Weir, which will open up a further 50 km of fish passage along the creek.

Fish surveys have recently been completed in and around Gunbower Creek.  The local angling community is particularly invited to participate and share their knowledge of recent and historic fish catches. The information provided by anglers will be used to support the formal fish monitoring data collection undertaken in the creek and its lagoons. 

Gunbower Creek is a major anabranch of the Murray River and forms Gunbower Island which is the location of The Living Murray icon site, Gunbower Forest. It is an important part of the forest and home to many important plants and animals.

The event is free; however, registration is vital for catering purposes. To participate, RSVP to the North Central CMA on 5448 7124 by Friday 17 July 2009.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au