300 trees
planted
140 participants
involved
6 groups and schools
working together
Replanting river banks for better fish habitat
The Talbragar River is part of the Macquarie catchment within the Macquarie–Castlereagh region. It supports a range of native ecosystems, including woodlands, wetlands and grasslands in temperate and semiarid environments. The system is under stress thanks to drought, weeds, and invasive carp, which now form 80-90% of the fish biomass. To help address these stressors, 140 people participated in a carp muster and helped plant 300 native trees on the river banks.
River enhancing achievements
The Dunedoo-Coolah Landcare Community Event is a crucial initiative in the Murray Darling Basin, as this initial step will help contribute to the goal of planting 700 trees over three community events. Included in the day was an OzFish-run community fishing day for children, followed by habitat talks that shared the importance of environmental stewardship.
Weed control methods were also employed as invasive species can displace native flora, make the river incapable of supporting native fish habitat, and prevent recreational anglers from accessing the waterway.
The presence of native trees overhanging the river will provide native fish with an important source of shade, shelter, and food.
Uplifting Community Involvement
The success of this project is attributed to the collaboration between the local Landcare group, Men’s Shed, OzFish members, local schools, the local Indigenous community, and the Warrumbungles Environmental Education Centre. Their collective effort highlights this community’s dedication to revitalizing the river and the riparian zones. Improving river health is essential for towns like Dunedoo (population 1,290), which have limited recreational opportunities.
Significant environmental positives
This project will help the local environment in many different ways. Planting native trees in the riparian zone combats erosion and filters run-off, rehabilitating the river and the land. The increased vegetation from events like this creates new bird habitats and improves the living conditions for native fish, turtles, and other aquatic life by providing shade, sources of insect food, and improved water quality.
These events also strengthen ties with the local community and provide knowledge about the local waterways, increasing a sense of stewardship. All of this is community-driven, sustainable, and will benefit our future generations.
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The project is part of OzFish’s Driving Fish Habitat Action partnership with Landcare NSW, with funding from Dunedoo-Coolah Landcare, the Australian Government through the CRC Program and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing. This support underscores the significance of collaborative funding in driving practical habitat restoration projects.
