Home / Chapters / New South Wales / Inland Waterways OzFish Chapter

The mighty Wambuul-Macquarie River is the heartland of this chapter. Famous for its freshwater fishing opportunities, including massive Murray cod, there’s a lot going on in the background to make this all happen. Meet the Inland Waterways chapter, based in Dubbo and surrounds, that help make fishing here fantastic.

This region’s traditional owners are the Wiradjuri people. The Chapter is comprised of recreational fishers from the Wambuul-Macquarie River catchment in central New South Wales.

Many of the members started out as part of the Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association. The IWRA was founded by Dubbo community members and business people, who wanted to improve fish habitat within the district. When they saw that they shared the same values as OzFish, they joined forces and the rest is history.

Home of the first River Repair Bus

IWRA came up with the idea of a River Repair Bus – a bus that takes volunteers along the river to do weed control, native tree plantings, rubbish removal, and whatever else members see needs doing to help the river and its fish. With the money raised from their signature event – the Burrendong Classic – the bus got rolling in 2017. OzFish now operate the bus and have since launched two other buses in the Murray-Darling Basin – one in Mildura and one in Moree. 

 READ MORE

2019 Macquarie Fish Rescue

In 2019, at the worst of the drought when the river was ‘cut’ at Warren (no flows were sent past Warren weir), the Inland Waterways OzFish Chapter joined forces with DPI Fisheries and rescued hundreds of Murray Cod, Golden Perch, mussels and turtles from drying-up pools downstream.

Members also helped with fish rescues in other parts of the Murray-Darling Basin.

 READ MORE

The following are some key projects

Inland Fishers Tackle Litter

OzFish is tackling the litter problem in the Wambuul Macquarie River, starting with building a business case for litter prevention projects in the area. This will provide an understanding of the extent of the litter problem – how much litter is entering the river, from where, and why – enabling us to work with others in the community to implement effective litter prevention programs.

READ MORE

Restoring healthy habitat on the Wambuul Macquarie River

OzFish Inland Waterways and Wellington Chapters worked with Mid Macquarie Landcare to reduce erosion and improve water quality along the Wambuul Macquarie River. This supports native fish species, wildlife and vegetation.

READ MORE

Protecting the Southern purple
spotted gudgeon

Through planting native vegetation, the Chapter aims to reduce erosion and improve water quality, and provide an important source of shade, shelter, and food. This supports the endangered Southern purple spotted gudgeon at Buckinbah Creek where they are known to still exist.

READ MORE

Wambuul-Macquarie Riverbank Restoration Project

In partnership with Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Rivercare  and various community groups, OzFish controlled the weeds and  planted native vegetation along a section of Wambuul-Macquarie River owned by Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

READ MORE

The Inland Waterways Ozfish Chapter holds activities that everyone can get involved in.

JOIN OZFISH TODAY

ADULT MEMBERSHIP    JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP    FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

Latest News

22 February 2023 | Macquarie River blocked in stretches as flood-time debris accumulates

One of New South Wales' main inland rivers is being choked with woody logs and other floating debris after unprecedented flooding. Several large rafts made of wood and other debris are blocking parts of the Macquarie River in the state's west, leaving residents concerned about erosion or even a diversion of the river itself.

Find Out More

Former OzFish Chapter President Gets Recognition He Deserves

Today, we are proud to congratulate Matt Hansen, OzFish member and former Board Director and Chapter President, who has been awarded an OAM and Dubbo Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Find Out More

New Website Showcases Best Practice Fish Screen Management

A new website launched today will showcase the benefits of self-cleaning intake screens for water pumps and gravity-fed channels, to help farmers save money and water while protecting native fish. OzFish Unlimited, the voice of Australia’s recreational anglers, partnered with manufacturers, water users, farming groups and fisheries experts from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University to create fishscreens.org.au.

Find Out More

OzFish River Repair Bus Future Secure

Dubbo’s well regarded River Repair Bus has been given a lifeline in funding from Dubbo Regional Council, thanks to a $40,000 funding agreement. The funding would ensure the fantastic work from staff and volunteers would be able to continue, according to Councillor Dayne Gumley and he said that was why he had made it a priority to ensure Council provided the essential support.

Find Out More

Experts Talk Saving Fish In The Murray-Darling

With the health of native fish in our Macquarie River, under the spotlight like never before, concerned fishers and the environmentally minded alike are invited to attend a series of public talks at Charles Sturt University Dubbo, Thinking Fish – Saving Native Fish in the Murray Darling Basin. Some of the leading names in fisheries research and river management will visit Dubbo, with the Central West set to hear from some of the best thinkers in fishing on the issues facing native fish in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Find Out More

Macquarie River Fish Rescue

Like many of our major rivers and lakes, the Macquarie River in NSW is drying out and our native fish are in desperate need of our help to survive. Hundreds of Murray Cod and Yellowbelly destined to perish in worsening drought conditions have been rescued on the Macquarie River in a joint operation between NSW DPI Fisheries, local landholders, and volunteers of Inland Waterways OzFish Chapter.

Find Out More

Continue the conversation on Facebook @OzFishInlandWaterways

 Follow us