A new concrete bridge to improve water flow and access to fish habitat in Currowan is now complete thanks to a $650,000 grant from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The new bridge across Currowan Creek is positioned above water level and replaces a piped concrete culvert which ran under the road. The culvert was a barrier to the movement of native fish, preventing them from being able to access food and shelter, avoid predators and seek out mates.
Mayor Patricia White said the new bridge on Western Distributor Road was funded under the Marine Estate Management Strategy's Reconnecting fish habitats project, which aims to protect and enhance our waterways by improving fish passage.
"Currowan Creek is the habitat of the Australian Grayling which migrates between fresh and coastal waters, making fish passage critical to their survival," Cr White said.
"Flowing east, Currowan Creek joins the mighty Clyde River so it's an important natural environment for the flora and fauna of the Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla areas," she said.
Key features of the new bridge include:
- 9m clear span between the bridge abutments.
- 10m long concrete approaches on either side of the bridge to reduce scouring in flood events.
- Concrete kerbs to prevent traffic from leaving the bridge while limiting the build-up of debris in flood events.
