Free pass for fish friends

Scrubby Creek fish can now go with the flow

There’ll be plenty of fish in the creek this World Fish Migration Day – thanks to an innovative Logan City Council project.

A rock ramp fishway is boosting the health of Scrubby Creek and scaling up the presence of native species in the catchment.

World Fish Migration Day – a global awareness campaign celebrated once every two years – will be celebrated on Saturday, May 25.

Mayor Jon Raven said fittingly, this year’s theme is “Free Flow”.

“In the City of Logan, we share the goals of our nature-loving neighbours around the world – and that includes doing our part to protect our land and waterways,” Cr Raven said.

“Native fish love to migrate and we’re helping them live their best life by going with the flow in Scrubby Creek while keeping pests at bay.

“Finned, feathered or furred, local wildlife is highly valued by our community and this project is another way we’re helping them thrive.”

The fishway includes a series of descending rock ridges that slow water movement, prevent erosion and provide deep resting pools for fish travelling upstream.

It was constructed by Logan City Council in a section of Scrubby Creek adjacent to the intersection of Queens and Loganlea Roads in the Slacks Creek Environmental Park.

A pedestrian crossing along the Slacks Creek Bikeway was also replaced during the project with a new footbridge.

The Scrubby Creek catchment includes more than 60 kilometres of waterways that flow from Greenbank to Meadowbrook and eventually into Slacks Creek and then the Logan River.

Many native fish species migrate to the lower saltwater and brackish reaches of the Logan River to spawn. Juvenile fish then swim back up the waterway to live in freshwater.

Studies conducted before and after the installation of the fishway have confirmed an increase in fish movement, including during periods of low water flow.

Seven native fish species were recorded in waters above and below the fishway including empire gudgeon, unspecked hardyheads, mullet and longfin eels.

Two exotic pest species – gambusia and swordtail – which thrive in poorly connected or stagnant waterways were also detected. The fishway is expected to eventually help decrease pest species populations.

Division 3 Councillor Mindy Russell said as well as improving fish habitat, the new rock ramp was a major point of interest for pedestrians and cyclists in Slacks Creek.

“This natural-looking feature blends beautifully into the Scrubby Creek environment and adds to the environmental value and appeal of this important waterway,” Cr Russell said.

Riverbank restoration works, including the planting of native grasses and trees, were also carried out.

The Queens Road Fish Passage was funded through Logan City Council’s Environmental Levy.

It was supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and OzFish Unlimited.

It also received a Recreational Fishing Grant from the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.

More information on World Fish Migration Day is available at: worldfishmigrationday.com