River Murray Fishways

The Hon. T.T. NGO (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Water and the River Murray. Can the minister update the house on the planned construction of fishways across the Murray Mouth barrages and the important role they will play in supporting our fish populations?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. It was my great pleasure to join many local residents on Saturday 24 May at the Goolwa barrages to announce the construction of new and important infrastructure to support fish migration and fish populations. The $2.9 million project, which was co-funded by the state and federal governments, is being managed under the Coorong, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth Recovery Project. It will entail the construction of up to seven fishways across the River Murray barrages and the spillways in the Lower Lakes.

This idea was developed by the Coorong, Lower Lakes, Murray Mouth Recovery Project and is designed to improve the way the Lower Lakes, Coorong and the Southern Ocean are connected. Currently, there are five barrages and spillways that form a barrier to the migration of over 30 fish species in the area. Fishways, I am told, work a little bit like a ladder. They allow fish to move through these obstacles. I referred to them once as a 'stairway to heaven', but I am assured that is totally inappropriate because they don't die: the whole idea is to prevent that. An improved fish passage is important because it allows fish to move to and from breeding areas and spread throughout the Coorong and Lower Lakes. It also allows fish to migrate and access different feeding grounds.

The funding available will provide at least one fishway on each of the barrages. The design and costing has been undertaken by a cross-jurisdictional working group made up of members of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, members of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, SA Water and the South Australian Research and Development Institute. I am pleased that the Ngarrindjeri have also provided input on the culturally significant species in the region. Now that the project has received final approval, SA Water and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority will be constructing the fishways in conjunction with the CLLMM Recovery Project. SA Water will then assume responsibility for their operation and their maintenance.

It was particularly fitting to hold the event on 24 May because I am told it coincided with World Fish Migration Day 2014. Who would have thought we had a world fish migration day? But we do, and it was very useful to have it coincide with the opening of this project. Many may not know about this global initiative, and indeed I didn't until I was advised. It involves events around the world aimed at creating awareness of the importance of open rivers and migratory fish. In fact, the slogan for World Fish Migration Day is, 'Connecting fish, rivers and people'.

I could not think of a more fitting place than the Goolwa barrages to celebrate this important day. The local residents have such a deep connection to, and a respect for, the importance of our waterways, and none more than Henry Jones, who sadly passed away on 15 April. Many in this place have remembered Henry fondly—or will do when we have a chance to speak to the Hon. Ms Lensink's motion—and his presence at the event was sorely missed because Mr Jones would have greatly appreciated the success of this project, I am sure.

As a commercial fisherman for most of his adult life, Mr Jones had a deep connection to, and an understanding of, this unique and iconic part of Australia. He regularly guided officials and dignitaries around the site, sharing his knowledge with a generosity of spirit in an infectious way. In fact, it is in great part thanks to Henry that these fishways are being constructed now. Henry once hosted a delegation from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, including the then chief executive, Don Blackmore. After visiting the site, he and other local fishermen pressed the case for constructing fishways and operating the barrages to restore fish communities of the region. It was his passion and the compelling case they presented that triggered the commission to explore the idea further.

His vision for fishways at the Murray barrages laid some important groundwork for the implementation of the broader Sea to Hume Fishway Project undertaken by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. The Construction of Fishways Project will complement the Sea to Hume project by enabling migratory fish to enter the Murray-Darling Basin at the barrages. I am also pleased that Henry's wife, Gloria, and many members of their family, including children and grandchildren, were present at this event. Henry was a regular visitor to Boundary Creek as part of his fishing and it is no coincidence that the first fishway will be constructed on Boundary Creek.

The fishways project will also be complemented with quite a lot of interpretive information displayed about the barrages and existing fishways. This will form an important part of educating locals and visitors about the importance of the fishways and the migratory behaviour of fish. I look forward to the construction of these fishways and the contribution they will make to the diversity and number of our fish population up and down the river. I congratulate everybody in the community who were so intensely involved in bringing this project to fruition.