Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has completed an important fish monitoring program as part of the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
The program is a requirement of the development authority permit for temporary pipe culverts along the project's downstream access route. These culverts will be important for making the site more accessible for heavy vehicles during construction.
The fish monitoring was conducted at the temporarily installed downstream creek crossings by an independent contractor. It assessed how effective the installed creek crossings are for supporting upstream and downstream fish movements.
Deputy Mayor and spokesperson for Strategic Water Planning and Capital portfolio Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff said the monitoring program has confirmed there are no detected significant barriers to fish being able to move up and down stream through the crossings installed across Cressbrook Creek.
"The advice received provides evidence that the culverts we've installed are working well and have achieved our goal of allowing both small and large fish to move in either direction.
"The fish monitoring covered various areas of the creek and involved safely catching fish, recording their species and sizes, and releasing them back into the waterway.
"Maintaining fish connections between habitats works to keep fish population levels healthy. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) recently inspected the temporary creek crossings to ensure fish movement is being maintained.
"Connecting with DPI representatives, on site where the changes are taking place, is vital for collaborating on the requirements for gaining the full suite of environmental approvals for this significant safety project," Cr Vonhoff said.
