The Rookwood Weir project, located in Rockhampton, Queensland, is helping support native fish species move throughout the Lower Fitzroy River system through the construction of a $7 million fishway.
Part of the Rookwood Weir project, the fishway, which is one of six expected projects from Rookwood Weir, will support 12 jobs and provide 31 native species of fish with the ability to access 545ha of habitat once completed.
Pensar Infrastructure, a Queensland-based construction company is set to complete the fishway, with the project set to begin construction in August 2023.
The infrastructure will be built on the north side of the barrage and supplement two fishways on the south side. The new fishway design will include ‘cone’ type blocks throughout the structure, allowing for smaller fish to migrate both upstream and downstream of the river from the north side of the barrage.
State Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said that the fishway project will help provide environmental benefits in the future.
“The project continues to provide economic benefits to the region, with work on the barrage supporting more jobs for Central Queenslanders,” Mr Butcher said.
“Apart from the Weir unlocking further growth in Central Queensland, I’m pleased to see the enabling infrastructure like roads and fish passages provide further connectivity and environmental benefits.”
Water service corporation, Sunwater, has previously worked together with the owner of the barrage and the Rockhampton Regional Council to ensure that the operation of the new fishway remains within the region guidelines and regulations as well as providing water security.
The Rockwood Weir which sits approximately 180km up-river of the Fitzroy Barrage, includes a fish lock which allows for effective migration between species and better connections to habitats for the fish.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said that the fishway and the fish lock are all essential for the future of water security for Queensland.
“The fish lock and fish passage as part of the Rookwood Weir project is a great example of environmental, economic and social benefits being delivered hand in hand,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This will connect fish to their natural habitat where they eat, shelter and breed.
“The Rockwood Weir project is a win for nature, a win for jobs and a win for water security in Central Queensland.”
