Communities along the Macintyre and Dumaresq Rivers, on the Queensland/ New South Wales border, have been working with government agencies and regional NRM bodies from both states to establish a demonstration reach project.

The project is being coordinated by the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC) as part of the Murray Darling Basin Commission’s Native Fish Strategy, and has recently received a further $32,000 from the Commission to support the growing momentum for the reach.

“Demonstration reaches are large-scale sections of rivers or wetlands where a number of rehabilitation and conservation activities are applied to showcase the cumulative benefi ts of holistic aquatic ecosystem management,” said Megan Purvis, QMDC’s coordinator for the Border Rivers Demonstration Reach.

“One of the main aims of the Border Rivers Demonstration Reach is to bring together different rehabilitation methods and resources in one place, not only to maximise our impact, but also to demonstrate to communities how they can help manage our critical aquatic habitats,” said Megan.

The project is being guided by a community reference panel, with activities being supported by community groups, council and land managers. To date, the reach project has:

• identified in-stream fish barriers for modification
• researched native fish species to understand local threats that exist
• begun promoting aquatic habitat conservation through interpretive signage
• supported a Murray Cod stocking research project
• supported European Carp management projects, like the Goondiwindi Carp Cull.

“The Demonstration Reach has gained momentum, particularly in the last 12 months,” said Megan. “With growing support from the community, and the boost in funding from the Commission, we’re very hopeful to see some actual in-river activities take place, based on some of the foundational work we’ve already completed.”