An $8 million upgrade of Mollee Weir in the Namoi River is expected to have major economic and environmental benefits for the region.
The weir is one of several along the river, designed to hold water in different sections depending on where and when the water is required.
The upgrade was funded by Water NSW and included the construction of a fishway to allow native fish to move freely into different sections of the river.
It works by allowing fish on one side of the weir to swim into a chamber which fills with water and leads to the other side of the weir.
Water NSW project manager Marcos Guirguis said the infrastructure would have long term benefits.
“The fishway is expected to facilitate improvements in water quality which in turn should assist in the growth of native species fish populations and improve river health.”
The project also included the establishment of a new control room, minor repairs, and the automation of the regulator and fishway gates.
The automation component of the works is part of Water NSW’s integrated surveillance, monitoring and remote telemetry (iSMART) program.
The iSMART program will allow remote operation and monitoring of the corporation’s assets to reduce staff travel, improve data accuracy and frequency and improve efficiency of operations.
Nearby landholder Matthew Norrie said the weir, at almost 40 years old, was due for an upgrade.
“It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that supports the way the regulated river operates, and it’s important to see it being upgraded and maintained,” he said.
“The fishway will help encourage spawning at the right time of the year, making sure the fish can do what they would normally do if humans weren’t about.
“Being able to go upstream is critical to fish breeding cycles, and because you’ve got weirs in the river that can inhibit the natural behaviour of native species.”
Minor finalisation works are continuing, with the fishway and regulator expected to be fully operational next year.