Today, the Minns Labor Government is marking a key milestone in the protection of trout fisheries in the Snowy Mountains, with announcement of a new $5 million world-class fish production facility to expand the breeding capacity of the Government's Gaden Trout Hatchery, Jindabyne.
The project demonstrates the Minns Government's commitment to protecting the state's unique fisheries, embedding resilience into our landscapes, and building up critical foundations for the recreational fishing sector.
This new project "future proofs" the production of trout even if the climatic conditions are not favourable such as in times of drought or flooding. It will also help the Government's teams respond quicker to events that may have an impact on the trout fishery such as pest fish like the redfin.
The new facility also shows how the Minns government is collaborating with industry and community groups to deliver better regional outcomes with this project involving the Monaro Acclimatisation Society and Snowy Hydro.
Snowy Hydro is funding $5 million to build the new large 462 metres squared, steel structure fish breeding facility at the Hatchery site, with ongoing costs and operational management undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development on-site fisheries team.
The new facility will house a state-of-the-art recirculating aquaculture system so that the Government team can grow "advanced size" rainbow and brown trout fingerlings, larger than 160mm in length, to reduce or eliminate the impact of pest fish such as redfin if the need arises.
The installation of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) at Gaden will facilitate growing trout to the size required for stocking and significantly reduce quantities of water required.
The RAS also enables better control of the environment and water conditions to maintain the health of cultured fish and will assist staff in producing a superior fish in a much shorter timeframe.
The new hatchery will have the capacity to produce up to 20 tonnes of fish each year.
The project will embed resilience into the world-class trout fishery of Lake Eucumbene to address any future biosecurity risks, including the movement of Redfin perch into Tantangara reservoir
Snowy Hydro will also be undertaking ongoing monitoring at Tantangara Reservoir and Lake Eucumbene to ensure any breach can be quickly responded to.
The tender for the construction on the new facility at Gaden Trout Hatchery closes on 30 October. It is anticipated that construction will commence in 2026 after the tender is awarded. The expanded hatchery works are expected to be completed by the end of next year.
This project forms part of the Recreational Fishing Management Plan developed for Snowy 2.0, which is Australia's largest renewable energy project.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said:
"It is no secret that trout fishing in the Snowy Mountains region is world-class, which is why the NSW Government is committed to ensuring this fishery is safeguarded from any potential threats.
"The capability to produce and stock advanced size fingerlings in waterways will ensure this important recreational fishery will continue to thrive throughout the operations of Snowy 2.0.
"The NSW Government is proud to be working with Snowy Hydro and the Monaro Acclimatisation Society to ensure that we are well prepared to protect our vital trout fishing opportunities in the Snowy Mountains region.
"Combined with the existing hatchery facilities at Gaden Trout Hatchery, the new Snowy 2.0 facility will provide DPIRD with the increased production capacity needed to ensure trout fisheries in NSW are viable well into the future."
NSW Member for Monaro Steve Whan said:
"The Snowy Mountains region is renowned for providing high quality trout fishing opportunities, so it's important that we do everything we can to plan for embedding resilience into the trout population so it can withstand natural disasters and biosecurity threats.
"Thanks to the $5 million funding provided by Snowy Hydro, the Government's Gaden Trout Hatchery will soon be equipped to produce larger trout to ensure that recreational fishing remains a strong drawcard for tourism into our region for many years to come.
"The Gaden Trout Hatchery is the beating heart of our region's trout fishing, and I look forward to visiting the new facility as it builds up over 2026."
Snowy Hydro CEO, Dennis Barnes said:
"We're proud to be working with our partners to deliver this new facility in the Snowy Mountains region.
"We know fishing is incredibly important to tourism and recreation locally.
"This partnership is a great example of the Snowy Hydro team working with the community to bring to life a project that will have tangible benefits for tourism, as well as for every local who loves a fish."
Monaro Acclimatization Society President, Kerry Pfeiffer said:
"This project is a great example of the recreational fishing sector continuing to partner with the NSW Government and Snowy Hydro to identify and resolve issues that arise as the NSW trout fishery evolves over time. Issues such as recovering native freshwater fish populations, managing destructive invasive threats, climate change and water quality are all issues that require compromise and adaptive thinking to solve.
"The Monaro Acclimatisation Society has played a key role in ensuring the significant socio-economic benefits provided by the trout fishery will be maintained as the Snowy 2.0 project is developed and implemented.
"The Society is very appreciative of the opportunity to work with Snowy Hydro and DPIRD Fisheries on this project. We look forward to seeing the new Snowy-funded hatchery facility at the Gaden Trout Hatchery contribute to the development of the local trout fishery for many years to come."
