OzFish Richmond Chapter is working to reduce erosion, improve water quality and support native fish, including Australian bass and eastern freshwater cod, in the Wilson River.
More than 2,300 native trees and shrubs to be planted
Invasive weeds to be removed
100 metres of fencing to be installed
Habitat degradation on the Wilson River
The Wilson River is 130 km long and joins the Richmond River at Coraki. For most of its length, the Wilson River has been highly modified by land clearing, weed invasion, and livestock impacts. Consequently, the Wilson River supports highly fragmented native riparian vegetation and poor water quality, and is one of the most degraded river systems in NSW.
This OzFish project will begin to address those challenges and return healthy habitat to the upper Wilson River.
Landholders to deliver healthy habitat
Motivated landholders are rolling up their sleeves as part of this project.
The more than 2,300 native trees and shrubs, including lilly pilly and lomandra, to be planted will play an important role in shoring up the riverbanks and preventing soil and other debris being washed into the river – improving the water quality.
OzFish will remove invasive weeds, particularly camphor laurel, from along 540 m of the riverbanks, providing the native trees space to grow and thrive.
They will install fencing to ensure livestock can’t encroach and damage the restored native vegetation.
The trees overhanging the river will also provide an important source of food and shade for native fish, such as the Australian bass that call it home.
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The project is funded by NSW Recreational Fishing Trust’s Habitat Action Grants and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing.
