Environment Minister visits OzFish Project in Saltwater Creek, Cairns
Last week, OzFish was pleased to welcome Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, onsite at OzFish’s urban waterway restoration project in Saltwater Creek, Cairns.
The Minister, who was joined by Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green, and Federal Labor Candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith, toured the project site with OzFish Queensland staff, and discussed the rec fisher-led works.
OzFish Program Manager Dr Geoff Collins said, “We were pleased to welcome Ms. Plibersek, Ms. Green and Mr. Smith to the OzFish project site last week, and are grateful for their demonstration of commitment to restoring Australia’s waterways and crucial fish habitats.”
“On site, we discussed the background to this work, how the project is progressing and some of the challenges, and opportunities, in waterway restoration in urban environments in the wet tropics.”
Saltwater Creek in Cairns is a catchment under pressure from urban development. With the help of recreational fishers, and the broader community, the project is restoring 2.5 hectares of urban waterways in North Cairns, Manoora, Edge Hill and Whitfield areas.
Dr Collins said, “Together, we’re revegetating stream banks, controlling invasive weeds, removing litter and improving fish passage. This work will lead to healthier water, healthier native fish, animals and birds – and better fishing.”
The Saltwater Creek Project, located in Cairns, Far North Queensland, launched in September 2024, and will continue until December 2026.
The project is funded through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program. The $200 million program aims to restore the health of urban waterways for native plants, animals, and local communities.
Dr Collins said, “We are grateful that the Australian Government recognises the critical need to restore our waterways, and regenerate native fish habitat and that they know Australia’s recreational fishing community will get the job done.”
Want to get involved?
OzFish will be organising community days to combat weed control, native tree planting, removal of fish passage barriers, and to educate the community about littering and illegal dumping.
If you’re passionate about preserving our waterways, protecting native species, and contributing to the rejuvenation of this vital ecosystem, join OzFish and get involved in a community event today.
