The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) together with Goulburn Murray Water (G-MW) is about to commence work to provide important fish passage at the Kerang Weir to allow native fish species to move freely to the Loddon River upstream.

The project, commencing in mid-April, involves the construction of a vertical slot fishway or fish ladder, on the eastern side of the existing Weir. Minor works will also be undertaken on the upstream bridge, which is located about 200m upstream of the weir itself.

North Central CMA River Health Manager, Mr Brad Drust said that the fishway is similar to others in Northern Victoria on the Broken Creek and at Torrumbarry Weir. On completion of the project nearly 40 additional kilometres of the Loddon River will be made accessible to native fish from the lower reaches of the river below the Weir.

"These important works mean that the length of the Loddon River accessible to native fish will total over 100km from it's confluence with the River Murray".

"As well as the Loddon River fish will also have access to Pyramid Creek and other waterways in the area once other barriers are removed". 

Mr Drust added that these works are one important step in improving native fish populations in the region.

"Barriers limit the movement of fish between feeding and breeding grounds and may lead to the extinction of upstream or downstream migrating species. By removing barriers like the Kerang Weir, we increase the area of habitat available to fish to feed and breed, providing every opportunity for the fish population in the river to improve".

A fish survey undertaken in the Loddon River identified a number of fish species present that would benefit from the increase passage at Kerang, including Murray Cod, Golden Perch and Silver Perch.

Mr Drust concluded that "This is the first fish passage structure of this type that has been constructed in the North Central Region, and we look forward to monitoring the benefits it will deliver to the Loddon River's fish population".

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