A fin-tastic new project is set to bring more fish swimming into Sunshine Coast rivers after receiving a grant from the Australian Government.
Two new fishways will be installed on Petrie Creek, providing vital passage for a variety of native fish.
This will allow migratory species such as long finned eels (Anguilla reinhardtii), Australian bass (Macquaria novemaculeata), freshwater mullet (Trachystoma petardi), sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) and empire gudgeon (Hypseleotris compressa) to navigate past barriers and access critical breeding habitats.
The project, funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust under the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program, is part of the Reviving Petrie Creek initiative which will also include work to manage weeds and litter and improve streambank vegetation.
How do fishways work?
Currently, weirs at Petrie Creek in Quota Park, Nambour and Moreton Mill, Nambour, block fish from swimming up and down the river system.
This prevents native species reaching important habitats, spawning and feeding grounds upstream.
The staircase-like structures, made with rocks, will be retrofitted into the existing weirs allowing fish to bypass these barriers to access the entire waterway.
Why fish need access to more of the river
Petrie Creek is approximately 30 km long, with numerous tributaries feeding into it.
The creek has two weirs which act as barriers preventing native fish movement unless there is an extreme rain event causing the weirs to flood.
Council research shows this usually only happens on average 1.8 days a year.
This creates a problem for fish lifecycles, as many native fish breed and feed upstream before moving to the open ocean to mature.
The weirs stop this natural process.
Once completed, the fishway will provide native aquatic species with access along the entire creek and its tributaries for up to 314 days a year - that's a massive improvement.
Good for the fish and fishers
Division 10 Councillor David Law said the project was set to bring new life to Petrie Creek.
"This fishway will revive native fish populations, improve the health of our waterways and inject more fish into our river system for recreational fisherman," Cr Law said.
"It's also good for other creatures - like platypus, turtles and birdlife, which will have access to more habitat and food.
"If the weirs were removed completely, water levels would drop in the creek disrupting the sensitive balanced ecosystem.
Senator for Queensland Corinne Mulholland said the Albanese Government's Urban Rivers and Catchments program is revitalising urban waterways, improving health and water quality and looking after local native species.
"Healthy environments rely on healthy waterways, so this is a critical investment in supporting local biodiversity for generations to come.
"We recognise that locals understand the needs of their community best, which is why our government is proud to support this great project to restore and better manage Sunshine Coast rivers.
"I am committed to the Commonwealth working with Councils to truly build Australia's future from the ground up."
History of the weirs
Weirs aren't built in creeks and river systems on the Sunshine Coast anymore.
The Quota Park weir was installed to create a body of water that would help to create a beautiful and serene park to visit, while the Moreton Mill weir was built for the sugar industry. These weirs act as barriers, blocking fish movement.
This project corrects a historical man-made problem that has prevented fish from moving freely up and down the river.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said when completed, the fishways would be the first of a kind on the Sunshine Coast.
"This will open up the river system, benefiting fish, our environment, and our community."
Construction of the fishway is set to begin in August 2025, with completion anticipated by the end of the year.
The project is fully funded by the Australian Government with Council contributing in-kind support.
