Habitat on the agenda as OzFish launches new Chapter in Goondiwindi  

Australia’s fishing conservation charity, OzFish Unlimited today launched their newest Chapter to make fish habitat a priority located in the Goondiwindi region in Southern Queensland. 

The Chapter covers the Macintyre River system in the Northern Tablelands and Northwest Slopes regions of New South Wales and the Southern Downs region of Queensland, incorporating Inglewood, Yerlarbon Boggabilla, Texas and surrounding areas. 

Local recreational fisher Brett Stanbury guided the establishment of the Chapter and is the Chapter President.  

“Recreational fishers in Gundy love fishing and are equally passionate about their waterways,” said Brett.  

“This new Chapter is an opportunity to bring Gundy fishers together and share ideas on how to improve habitat and ultimately produce more fish through restoration and education,” he said. 

The first event for the Gundy Chapter will be the annual Goondiwindi Cod Classic held on the 11th – 13th June.  

“This Cod Classic is a community event to get the family together for some local fishing and educate the next generation about sustainable fishing practices,” said Brett.  

“On top of education, the chapter also hopes to roll up their sleeves in habitat restoration activities such as resnagging, tree planting, and supporting the uptake of fish screens on irrigation pumps.” 

The Goondiwindi Cod Classic is a three-day event with thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes up for grabs.  There will be goodie bags for kids and major prizes such as lures, hooks, even kayaks for the kids provided by local businesses. 

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Harry Davey, OzFish Project Officer for the Northern Basin was not surprised by the passion in the community. 

“I am particularly pleased to see the establishment of a OzFish Goondiwindi Chapter, people in the region are ready to not just have conversations about improving fish habitat and sustainable fishing but actually get involved,” he said. 

“Recreational fishers in Goondiwindi know their waterways better than most – and their passion for fishing translates to a passion for fish and healthy ecosystems. By bringing these fishing fanatics together we will get positive things done for local fish, local waterways, local ecosystems and local fishing,” said Harry. 

Funds raised from the Goondiwindi Cod Classic will go towards future Chapter habitat restoration activities. These includes habitat restoration such as resnagging, riverbank planting, clean-ups and educational and community capacity building programs. 

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