Trees burnt in the summer's bushfires have been used in a fish habitat project near Towong.
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The project initiated by Murray Local Land Services through funding from the Australian Government's bushfire recovery package has involved multiple agencies.
The works were undertaken by the NSW Soil Conservation Service in conjunction with Parks Victoria, using logs donated by Regional Roads Victoria.
More than 65 large bushfire-affected trees were removed from roadsides in the Towong Shire after they were deemed unsafe to remain in place.
Wood from 15 damaged trees were used in the works along the Murray River at the Lighthouse Crossing Reserve, improving breeding locations and stabilising the bank.
Soil Conservation Service Manager of Tumut and Upper Murray River Works, Shanthan Pathmanathan, said the habitat restoration project was an ideal use for the removed trees.
"The improved aquatic populations that result from re-snagging areas of the river in turn benefit other species in the ecosystem, including birds," he said.
"Snags were previously removed from rivers for boating purposes, to protect property and enhance water flow, but research has now shown that this approach impairs river stability, degrades river health and contributes to the decline of freshwater fish populations."
NSW Department of Primary Industries Murray Darling Fisheries Manager, Luke Pearce, said the re-snagging of rivers had documented benefits to aquatic life.
"Research of re-snagged sites elsewhere has shown a three-fold increase in numbers of Murray cod and a doubling of golden perch," he said.
Murray Local Land Services Environment Team Leader Leigh Blackmore said trout cod were once abundant in the larger upland rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin.
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"However, due to a range of stressors, their range is now restricted to only a few small pockets, including a small population in the Upper Murray and they are listed as endangered under the Australian Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act," he said.
Victorian Roads Minister Jaala Pulford welcomed the collaboration.
"We're working closely with bushfire-affected communities to boost safety on our roads, while also delivering benefits for endangered native fish habitats and riverbank erosion," she said.
"Trout cod were once abundant in the larger upland rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin and these fish-snags will help our aquatic life recover."
