Restoration project helping revitalise Tenterfeld Creek back after devastating weather events

OzFish Unlimited

The relentless dedication of the OzFish Unlimited Northern Tablelands Chapter has ignited a series of restoration initiatives aimed at rejuvenating Tenterfeld Creek.

The vital waterway faced signifcant challengers following a series of weather-related events and it’s now on a path to recovery, breathing new life for native fsh under the surface and into the community.

Tenterfeld Creek was one of the many rivers across Australia which bore the brunt of the 2019/20 bushfres. The devastation was made worse when the area was then fooded, which led to Tenterfeld’s water supply being shut off for nine months. A hailstorm caused further damage before more bushfres hit the area in 2021/22.

The OzFish Northern Tablelands Chapter volunteers have undertaken an ambitious mission to restore the creek, ensuring its ecological health and the sustained well-being of the local fsh population.

OzFish members received support from the Habitat Action Grants by the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Recreational Fishing Trusts and the local Gunimma Native Nursery was also called upon and immediately begun restoration work in the area.

Earthmovers have now started repairing the riverbank to fx an erosion problem which is putting a massive sediment load in the waterway.

Thousands of native grasses are being planted to flter the water and provideinsect fall for native fsh and three tonnes of rocky habitat is being installed in deeper spots in the creek to provide shelter and spawning areas for the native fsh.

The creek is home to a variety of fsh including golden perch, Murray cod and the threatened purple spotted gudgeon .

Harry Davey, OzFish Project Offcer –Northern Basin and also a local resident, said the community is getting revitalised as well as the creek.

Mr Davey said the current restoration work is a special one as it is being done to honour the memory of local landowner Merv McCasker, who was integral to helping the project get up and running. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year.

“It’s important for us as community members to get it completed in Merv’s memory. He would always engage the Traditional Owners and employed young workers from BackTrack Youth Works at Tenterfeld and the Moombahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council for all the work we’ve done out on the site.

“That’s just the kind of guy he was, He’s the kind of landowner we wish we had for every project. He would donate machinery and wouldn’t take money for the fencing, insisting on paying for it himself.”

The project is part of many undertaken by OzFish to improve the habitats of local fsh species and it will ensure the health of Tenterfeld Creek will be upgraded and revitalised for generations to come.

This is a joint project by OzFish and the NSW Recreational Fishing