Dogwood Creek boosted by native habitat restoration

Recently, OzFish delivered a significant boost to Dogwood Creek, returning native vegetation to its banks to enhance the waterway for native fish and encouraging local fishers to become waterway stewards. 

The project is part of the Australian Government’s Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program, which aims to improve the health and condition of rivers and wetlands across the Murray-Darling Basin.    

Our volunteers, alongside members of the Miles District Fishing and Recreation Club, planted more than 1,500 native trees and shrubs. Supported by local contractors they also installed one kilometre of protective fencing to ensure the restored vegetation is not damaged by livestock. 

Dogwood Creek is part of the Condamine-Balonne rivers catchment, which in turn is one of the largest catchments in the Murray-Darling Basin. Two-thirds of the catchment is flat floodplain country with a complex system of rivers and creeks, presenting a number of challenges linked to habitat. 

The removal of native vegetation over the years has contributed to riverbanks suffering from erosion and sediment runoff affecting water quality in the area. 

Eroding banks cause significant negative impacts on fish habitat, including removing overhanging vegetation that provides food and shade for fish in the river. The sediment they create also smothers snags and shelter spots, as well as causing water quality issues downstream. 

Cassie Price, Director of Habitat Programs for OzFish, explains why restoring a riparian zone of native vegetation is so important.  

“Having a lush riparian zone creates more opportunities for cleaner water by filtering and catching sediment before entering the water.  

“A waterway flanked by a variety of native reeds and long grasses will be in the best position to retain its structure. Without roots anchoring the bank together, it is more likely to collapse, which is why rivers are constantly changing their shape and direction.”  

We pride ourselves on bringing communities together to deliver projects like this. That is supported by our Moree River Repair Bus.  

One of three such buses within our fleet, the bus hit the road from Moree to deliver the plants and supply all the tools needed to complete the project’s planting day.  

Gary Maidens from the OzFish Moree Chapter says that when the bus arrives on site, you know it’s ‘go time’.  

“Between the vehicle and trailer, it carries all the tools, plants and inspiration needed to get stuck into some good-old hard yakka,” explained Gary.  

The Moree River Repair Bus, along with local volunteers, will continue to monitor the site in the coming months, by maintaining weeds and watering the site regularly.  

We are calling on all keen recreational fishos in the Miles region to get involved in projects like this. With a strong population of golden perch, and the occasional Murray cod, we want to secure this area as a recreational fishing haven for years to come.  

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This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Murray–Darling Healthy Rivers Program. It is also supported by BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing and the local recreational angling community.