NATIVE fish now have a better chance to breed, feed and succeed in a North East national park.
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Two new low-level bridges and fish passages have been built at McQuades Bend and Frost Crossing, entry points into the Warby-Ovens National Park.
Flooding in 2012 affected the former gravel and rock crossings, blocking the migration of native fish along Boundary Creek.
North East Catchment Management Authority’s Andrew Briggs said the bridges provided vehicle access and could tolerate being submerged by floods.
“As fish are often reluctant to swim into a dark tunnel, the bridges have been designed with perforated metal grates to let light penetrate to the water below,” he said.
Cement stumps helped create eddies where fish could rest. The creek had about 15 species of native fish, including Murray cod and golden perch.
“Fish refuges are especially important for smaller species which don’t cope well with fast flowing water,” Mr Briggs said.