Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon ...

Instream Barrier Assessment and 

Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon 

River and Otways Streams 

A report for the 

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority 

Environous, Kingfisher Research and 

Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (DSE)

Published by: 

Environous 

PO Box 86, Queenscliff, Victoria, 3225 

Telephone: (03) 5258 1831 

Email: tomjryan@westnet.com.au 

Also: 

Kingfisher Research 

20 Chapman Street, Diamond Creek, Victoria 3089 

And: 

Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 

Department of Sustainability and Environment 

PO Box 137, Heidelberg, Victoria, 3084 

Produced for: 

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority 

64 Denis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250 

This publication may be cited as: 

Ryan, T., Stuart, I., O’Brien, T. and Saddlier, S, (2010) Instream Barrier Assessment and 

Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams. Report for the Corangamite 

Catchment Management Authority. 

Cover photographs: from top left to right: tidal barrage weir and fishway on Thompson Creek @ 

Minya; diversion weir on Erskine River below Erskine Falls; culvert fishway on lower Cumberland 

River; gauging weir on Lardners Creek gauging @ Gellibrand East Road. 

This document was produced by environous Pty Ltd. for the Corangamite CMA and may only be used 

for the purposes and in accordance with the Terms of the Engagement for which it was commissioned.

Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

At least 10 of the 16 freshwater fish species found in the Corangamite Catchment need to 

migrate between freshwater and estuarine or marine habitat as an obligatory part of their life 

cycle. The other five freshwater fish species also benefit from unrestricted movement to 

access a variety of habitats including appropriate breeding, nursery and feeding habitats. 

This movement also prevents fragmentation, reduces susceptibility to disease and 

extinction, and maintains genetic diversity and as such is particularly important for survival of 

threatened or rare fish species. 

Man-made structures can prevent or limit fish passage through the creation of a physical 

blockage, a hydrological barrier, or by forming artificial conditions that act as behavioural 

barriers to fish. The impact of these barriers on fish passage will vary depending on the 

design of the structure as well as stream hydrology and geomorphology characteristics 

including the integrity of seasonal flows and corresponding migrational capabilities of 

individual fish species. 

This report provides a summary of a comprehensive field assessment of fish passage 

barriers in streams within the Corangamite Catchment. All potential fish passage barriers 

were prioritised according to their respective ecological impact and potential ecological 

benefits for restoration. 

The Corangamite CMA has been proactive and has already restored fish passage at some 

of the priority fishways identified in this report. Further fish passage restoration at priority 

locations combined with a strategic fish monitoring program and regular fishway inspection 

and maintenance programs will ensure the recovery and maintenance of native fish 

biodiversity in the region. 

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) has undertaken fish passage 

restoration at many locations. A number of additional barriers in coastal streams have 

previously been identified and prioritised for fish passage restoration. This report provides a 

comprehensive review of all potential barriers to fish migration and the existing fishways in 

streams throughout the Otways coast from the lower Barwon River at Geelong to the 

Curdies River at Peterborough. 

The overall aim of this project is to identify all potential barriers to fish passage in coastal 

streams in the Corangamite region (i.e. in streams of the Otways coast from the Barwon 

River at Geelong (lower Barwon River only) to the Curdies River at Peterborough). These 

barriers are prioritised on the basis of ecological significance as well as estimated cost of 

providing fish access. This information will then be used to develop a management plan for 

fish passage. 

The specific objectives and outcomes of the present study are to: 

1. Undertake a desktop review of the current information on identified barriers 

2. Undertake field assessments of the barriers where required 

3. Prioritise the barriers in terms of benefits of fish passage and for remediation works 

4. Develop an action plan for restoring fish passage 

5. Develop a strategic fish passage plan with preferred fishway options for the highest 

priority sites in each river system and in each coastal program area (Barwon 

Bellarine/Thompson, Aire/Otways, Curdies/Gellibrand) 

6. Make management recommendations including the steps of rehabilitation based on the 

prioritisation and approximate cost fishway designs. 

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 

i


Barrier prioritisation was based on desktop reviews of available information (aerial 

photography, CCMA databases, and other available databases). A total of 347 potential fish 

barriers were identified and subsequently inspected to collect an extensive suite of 

information including the: diversity of fish communities present, occurrence of threatened fish 

species, relative location of fish barriers within the catchment, size of individual stream 

barriers, relative ease of fish passage restoration, and quality and quantity of potential 

upstream habitat. This information was assessed using a set of criteria to prioritise the order 

in which those barriers with greatest ecological benefit should be rectified. 

Priority sites for fish passage restoration were identified in each of the three main coastal 

regions of the CCMA (summarised in the table on page iv). Estimated total costs were also 

provided based on the previous experience of the project team. 

Priorities for the Lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

1. Restoration of fish passage in the Barwon River was estimated to cost $670,000. This is 

an important system regionally and restoration should be undertaken as a matter of 

priority. It is recommended that restoration commence with a new vertical-slot fishway at 

the lower barrage (~$150K) closest to the river mouth, followed by a rock ramp 

refurbishment upstream at Pollocksford Weir, as a relatively inexpensive (~$20K) 

restoration. Reedy Lake regulator, Buckleys Falls and Baums Weir also require 

significant restoration activity. Additional fishways, preferably vertical-slot designs, are 

recommended for these sites (~$150K, ~$200K and ~$150K, respectively). 

2. Restoration of fish passage in Waurn Ponds Creek (up to Jarvis Oval) would be relatively 

inexpensive with barrier removals at two locations (~$10K) and pedestrian causeway 

replacements at two locations (~$70K collectively). 

3. Restoration of fish passage to the lower Thompson Creek was also recognised as a high 

priority and included a new vertical-slot fishway at the lower weir at Minya (~$150K) and 

a relatively inexpensive (~$20K) restoration/refurbishment of the rock ramp and culvert 

fishway at Horseshoe Bend Road. 

Priorities for the East Otways Streams to Aire River 

1. Restoration of fish passage in the St Georges River was recommended as the highest 

priority with replacement of the pedestrian causeway with a single span bridge (~$30K) 

in the lower reaches and removal of an old gauging weir (~$20K) downstream of 

Allenvale Road. The major barrier represented by Allen Reservoir was not considered to 

be a high priority regionally, but may need to be considered at a later date. 

2. Various low cost modifications were ranked highly in terms of value for money; these 

included Carisbrook Creek (~$5K), Cumberland River (~$5K) and Painkalac Creek 

(~$10K). 

3. A number of other low cost fish passage restoration works were indentified, including 

modification of three private causeways on Grassy Creek (~$30K collectively) and two on 

Skenes Creek (~$80K collectively). 

4. Refurbishment of the rock ramp at the Barham River East Branch gauging station 

(~$15K) was identified as one of the highest priority on the Barham River catchment. 

5. The restoration of fish passage in the Anglesea River should also be undertaken with the 

replacement of culvert causeways with single span bridges (or box culverts) (~$210K 

collectively). 

ii 

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research


6. Causeway replacements with single span bridges were also recommended at ‘Oldenzaal’ 

on the Barham River East Branch and Montrose Avenue on Anderson Creek (~$70K 

each). 

7. The numerous pipeline crossings on the Barham River West branch leading up to the 

large water storage weir further upstream were also identified collectively as a high 

priority and would be relatively inexpensive to rectify (~$40K). 

8. New rock ramp fishways were also high on the priority list on Moggs Creek (~$30K) and 

Aire River (~$40K) 

Priorities for the West Otways Streams to Curdies River 

1. Restoration of fish passage in the Gellibrand River was identified as an important and 

relatively simple process. Refurbishments of rock ramps at stream gauges at Lyness 

Road and below Stevensons Falls, and the complete removal of an old stream gauge 

near Clancys Access were considered to be high priorities (~$35K collectively). 

2. Fish passage recommendations for the Curdies River catchment include rock ramp 

refurbishments in the Curdies River near Limestone as well as at Scotts Creek at 

Digneys Bridge and Murfitts Road (~$30K collectively). 

3. Restoration of fish passage in tributaries of the Gellibrand River would also be relatively 

simple a rock ramp fishways in Kennedys Creek, Carlisle River, Chapple Creek South 

Branch, Chapple Creek and Lardners Creek and complete removal of an old stream 

gauge weir in Yahoo Creek (~$155K). 

4. Other priority fish barriers identified in the region should include Carmichael Creek, 

Sherbrook River and Cooriemungle Creek (~$80K collectively). 

Throughout the Corangamite CMA the accumulation of debris and sediment and minor rock 

movement, was identified as a significant fish barrier issue, particularly at low level gauging 

weirs and road culverts. These potential barriers could be easily rectified by seasonal visits 

from maintenance crews. It is strongly recommended that collaborative management plans 

be developed between owners and operators of each large fishway to ensure regular 

maintenance and performance assessment are conducted. 


iii


Overall CCMA Fish Barrier Restoration Strategy 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Eastern Otways to Aire River Western Otways to Curdies River 

1. High Ecological and High Benefit for cost barriers 

• Barwon River (400 m upstream of 

Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) 

• Thompsons Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) 

• St George River (upstream of GOR) 

• Gellibrand River (Lyness Road) 

• Gellibrand River at Clancys Access (old 

stream gauge)) 

• Gellibrand River (downstream of 

Stevensons Falls (stream gauge)) 

2. High Ecological and Good Benefit for cost barriers 

• Barwon River (Lower Barrage) 

• Thompsons Ck (Minya Farm) 

• Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) 

• Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway 

(stream gauge)) 

• Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) 

• East Barham River (Barham River Road 


3. Good Ecological and High Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (20 m d/s from 

footbridge) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (Natika Crt) 

• Grassy Ck (x 3) 

• Cumberland River 

• Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd (stream 

gauge and fishway) 

• Curdies River (Trestle bridge gauge & 

fishway) 

4. Good Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• St George River (50m downstream of 

Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) 

• Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 

• Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m upstream 

bridge) 

• Lardners Ck (Gellibrand East Rd (stream 

gauge)) 

5. Fair Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Skenes Ck (x 2 ) 

• Moggs Ck (Boyd Ave) 

6. Fair Ecological and Fair Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Anglesea River (upstream of Hall Rd in 

mine) 

• Anglesea River (Inside mine (old stream 

gauge)) 

• Erskine River (700m downstream of 

Erskine Falls) 

• Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) 

• East Barham River (Barham River Road - 

Oldenzaal) 

7. Some Ecological and High Benefit for cost barriers 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (upstream of Bridge 

Param St) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (downstream of Pioneer 

Road) 

• Thompsons Ck (Ghazepore (stream 

gauge)) 

• Thompsons Ck ( u/s of Anglesea Rd) 

• Painkalac Creek (downstream of Old 

Coach Rd) 

• Carisbrook Ck (upstream of GOR ) 

• Yahoo Ck (old stream gauge) * 

• Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream 

gauge)) 

• Scotts Creek (upstream of Murfitts Road) 

iv 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES................................................................................................................vi 

1. BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................................ 1 

Fish species of the Barwon and Otways catchments ............................................................................... 1 

Impact of instream barriers to fish passage.............................................................................................. 2 

Providing fish passage in Victoria............................................................................................................. 3 

Project objectives...................................................................................................................................... 4 

2. METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................................... 5 

Desktop barrier review.............................................................................................................................. 5 

Field assessment ...................................................................................................................................... 5 

Prioritisation of barriers............................................................................................................................. 5 

Assessment of fish communities .......................................................................................................... 5 

Barrier location and relative size........................................................................................................... 6 

Availability migratory flows.................................................................................................................... 6 

Habitat quality and availability .............................................................................................................. 7 

Strategic fish passage plans..................................................................................................................... 7 

3. FIELD ASSESSMENT OF BARRIERS..................................................................................................... 9 

4. ECOLOGICAL PRIORITISATION .......................................................................................................... 15 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson........................................................................................................... 15 

Eastern Otways (to Aire River catchment).............................................................................................. 17 

Western Otways (to Curdies River) ........................................................................................................ 19 

5. Ecological Benefit / Cost Assessment .................................................................................................... 21 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson........................................................................................................... 22 

Eastern Otways (to Aire River catchment).............................................................................................. 23 

Western Otways (to Curdies River) ........................................................................................................ 23 

6. STRATEGIC FISH PASSAGE PLANS ................................................................................................... 26 

Overall fishway construction priority ....................................................................................................... 26 

Strategy for barriers of the Barwon River, Bellarine region to Thompson Creek ................................... 29 

Strategy for barriers of the Eastern Otways streams to Aire River......................................................... 30 

Strategy for barriers of the Western Otways streams to Curdies River.................................................. 31 

Further considerations and research ...................................................................................................... 32 

Lower priority barriers ......................................................................................................................... 32 

Additional research and monitoring .................................................................................................... 32 

Fishway construction .......................................................................................................................... 32 

7. CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................ 33 

8. REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 34 

9. ACKOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................................................ 36 

APPENDIX A: Field and Desktop Assessment Forms ............................................................................... 37 

APPENDIX B: Barwon River Catchment Fish Barriers............................................................................... 38 

APPENDIX C: East Otway Streams Fish Barriers...................................................................................... 44 

APPENDIX D: West Otway Streams Fish Barriers..................................................................................... 51 

APPENDIX E: Summary details and assessments of all fish barriers........................................................ 58 

APPENDIX F: Details of Other site inspections not considered to represent fish barriers......................... 62 

APPENDIX G: Current examples of suitable fishway solutions for CCMA streams................................... 65 

APPENDIX H: Summary of Ecological scores and overall benefit for cost priority .................................... 68 


v


LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES 

Figures 

Figure 1: Seasonal migratory movement for larvae (blue), juvenile (green) and adult (blue) 

diadromous fish of the Barwon and Otways streams............................................................................3 

Figure 2: Fish Barrier Assessment Region and detailed map location. ..............................................10 

Figure 3: Distribution map of sites in the Barwon, Bellarine and Eastern Otways streams 

where fish barriers were found............................................................................................................11 

Figure 4: Distribution map of sites in the Western Otways streams where fish barriers were 

found....................................................................................................................................................12 

Figure 5: Distribution map of sites in the Barwon, Bellarine and Eastern Otways streams 

without fish barrier concerns ...............................................................................................................13 

Figure 6: Distribution map of sites in the Western Otways streams without fish barrier 

concerns..............................................................................................................................................14 

Tables 

Table 1: Fish Barrier Prioritisation Calculation Criteria ...........................................................................8 

Table 2: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

catchments ............................................................................................................................................16 

Table 3: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in the Eastern Otways streams (to Aire River)........18 

Table 4: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in Western Otways streams (to Curdies River)......20 

Table 5: Fishway construction types and works required at each barrier together with approximate 

ongoing maintenance expenses ...........................................................................................................22 

Table 6: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers of lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

catchments ............................................................................................................................................24 

Table 7: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers in the Eastern Otways streams (to Aire 

River) .....................................................................................................................................................24 

Table 8: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers in Otways streams west of the Aire River to 

Curdies River.........................................................................................................................................25 

Table 9: Overall CCMA Fish Barrier Restoration Strategy....................................................................28 

vi 



1. BACKGROUND 

Fish species of the Barwon and Otways catchments 

The Barwon and Otways coast provides a diverse range of riverine habitat supporting an 

equally diverse range of fish communities. The Corangamite Catchment Management 

Authority (CCMA) manages the river systems and the associated biodiversity, including the 

16 different freshwater fish species that occur throughout the region. 

Nine of these species are considered to be diadromous and require free access to estuarine 

or marine waters to successfully complete their life cycles. These include: Australian grayling 

(Prototroctes maraena), Australian mudfish (Neochanna cleaveri), broad-finned galaxias 

(Galaxias brevipinnis), common galaxias (Galaxias maculatus), pouched lamprey (Geotria 

australis), short-finned eels (Anguilla australis), short-headed lamprey (Mordacia mordax), 

spotted galaxias (Galaxias truttaceus) and tupong (Pseudaphritis urvillii). Australian smelt 

(Retropinna semoni) also exhibit diadromous migration, although this is an amphidromous 

form which is facultative rather than obligatory. 

Although flat-headed gudgeon (Philypnodon grandiceps) are not considered to be a true 

migratory species, they are found in both fresh and saline conditions and therefore likely to 

migrate between the two. 

The remaining five species complete their entire life cycle in freshwater: dwarf galaxias 

(Galaxiella pusilla), mountain galaxias (Galaxias olidus), river blackfish (Gadopsis 

marmoratus), southern pygmy perch (Nannoperca australis) and Yarra pygmy perch 

(Nannoperca obscura). Movement between different freshwater habitat for refuge, feeding 

or spawning are critical for most of these species. 

Four of the freshwater fish species in the CCMA are protected under the Victorian Flora and 

Fauna Guarantee Act (FFG Act 1988) and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection 

and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act 1999) (DSE 2007): 

• Australian grayling are considered ‘vulnerable’ in both Australia (EPBC Act 1999) and 

Victoria (DSE 2007) and are listed as ‘threatened’ under the FFG Act 1988. 

Australian grayling have been captured in Erskine, Cumberland, Barham, St. 

Georges, Kennett and Wye Rivers, as well as Skenes, Wild Dog, Carisbrook and 

Grassy Creeks. 

• Australian mudfish are considered ‘critically endangered’ in Victoria (DSE 2007) and 

are listed under the FFG Act 1988. Australian mudfish have been captured in the 

lower Barwon, lower Aire, Calder and Wye Rivers. 

• Dwarf galaxias are listed as ‘vulnerable’ in Australia (EPBC Act 1999) and Victoria 

(DSE 2007) and are listed under the FFG Act 1988. Dwarf galaxias have recently 

been observed in the upper Barwon River and Gosling Creek, a nearby tributary. 

• Yarra pygmy perch are considered ‘vulnerable’ in Australia (EPBC Act 1999) and 

‘near threatened’ in Victoria (DSE 2007) and are listed under the FFG Act 1988. 

Yarra pygmy perch occur in the Barwon catchment including the upper Barwon River 

tributaries and Waurn Ponds Creek and the Otways catchments including Thompson 

Creek, Curdies River and a recent record in the St. Georges River and Williamsons 

Creek in the Moorabool Catchment. 

Larger waterways in the Otways, such as the Aire and Gellibrand Rivers, are also likely to 

support Australian grayling. Despite the lack of previous records of this species in these 

rivers, they were included in the prioritisation for their potential to support this important 

species. 

At least 32 estuarine dependent and resident fish species also inhabit the Barwon and 

Otways coastal estuaries including species that are likely to migrate further upstream within 

riverine systems. These include black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri), yellow-eye mullet 

(Aldrichetta forsteri), mulloway (Argyrosomus holoepidotus), small-mouthed hardyhead 

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 1


(Atherinosoma microstoma), glass goby (Gobiopterus semivesttitus), short-snout hardyhead 

(Kestrattherina brevirostris), Australian whitebait (Lovettia sealii), estuary perch (Macquaria 

colonorum), poddy mullet (Mugil cephalus), pale mangrove goby (Mugilogobius platynotus) 

(classified as ‘vulnerable’ in Victoria (DSE 2007) and listed under the FFG Act 1988), 

eastern blue-spot goby (Pseudogobius sp. 9) and lagoon goby (Tasmanogobius lasti). 

Impact of instream barriers to fish passage 

All native fish need to move between habitats at some stage in their life cycle. Migration is 

necessary for juvenile fish to reach suitable nursery habitats and for adults to reach suitable 

feeding and reproduction habitats. Movement also prevents fragmentation, reduces 

susceptibility to disease and extinction, and maintains genetic diversity. This is particularly 

important for threatened or rare species. 

Man-made structures can completely prevent or limit fish passage by creating a physical 

blockage, a hydrological barrier, or by forming artificial conditions that act as behavioural 

barriers to fish. The impact of such barriers on fish passage will vary depending on the 

design of the structure, as well as stream hydrology and geomorphology characteristics, 

including integrity of natural seasonal flow regime, sediment movement and bank erosion. 

A number of different barriers to fish passage are now recognised. These include larger 

structures such as weirs and dams, as well as smaller structures such as: stream gauging 

weirs; stream crossings with a lack of fish passage consideration (including road, railway 

and pipeline crossings); instream construction works (such as erosion control rock chutes); 

and previously constructed fishways that have received very little ongoing maintenance. 

Smaller fishways can also present a physical barrier (particularly in periods of low flow), and 

can also impede fish passage due to excessive water velocity, lack of substrate diversity and 

a lack of resting pools. 

Figure 1 provides the seasonal migratory pattern for larvae, juvenile and adult stages of 

migratory freshwater fish species found in the Barwon and Otways streams. Some of the 

major patterns include: 

• downstream drift of larval Australian grayling, broad-finned galaxias, common 

galaxias and spotted galaxias in autumn and winter 

• upstream migration of juvenile Australian grayling, Australian mudfish, Australian 

smelt, broad-finned galaxias, common galaxias, spotted galaxias and tupong 

predominately in spring and summer and short-finned eel most of the year (with glass 

eels migrating from autumn to spring) 

• downstream migration of juvenile pouched lamprey and short-headed lamprey in 

winter and spring 

• upstream migration of adult pouched lamprey and short-headed lamprey in winter 

and spring and 

• downstream migration of adult common galaxias, tupong and short-finned eel in 

autumn and winter. 

Some regional variations may occur within different river systems, however, the overall 

movement pattern of these ten migratory species highlights that fish passage is required 

most of the year. 

2 



Modified 

from 

Drew 

(2008) 

Figure 1: Seasonal migratory movement for larvae (blue), juvenile (green) and 

adult (blue) diadromous fish of the Barwon and Otways streams 

Arrows indicate direction of movement including upstream (to top of page) and downstream (to 

bottom of page). 

Modified from Koehn and O’Connor (1999) and Saddlier (2008), based on fishway observations in the 

CCMA and Melbourne Water Catchments. 

Providing fish passage in Victoria 

There are numerous policy and guidelines developed to protect fish passage in Victoria 

including the Water Act 1989, Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987, FFG Act 1988 and 

Fisheries Act 1995. The protection of fish passage in Victorian streams is regulated by the 

Catchment Management Authorities via the key obligations of the Water Act 1989 and 

outlined in the Works on Waterways permit process. The Water Act 1989 stipulates that 

works on waterways such as the construction of dams, weirs and erosion control need to be 

licensed. The CMAs develop and implement river protection and restoration programs in 

accordance with the priorities of Government, endorsed Regional Catchment and River 

Health Strategies and in partnership with local communities. 

A number of technical guidelines have been developed to assist the Victorian CMAs and to 

ensure that works minimise environmental impacts and conform to best management 

practices. These include: 

• Technical Guidelines for Waterway Management (DSE 2007) 

• FAST: Fish Assessment Support Tool (Saddlier 2008) 

• Guidelines for Assessment of Applications for Permits and Licences for Works on 

Waterways (SKM 2001) 



• Why do Fish Need to Cross the Road? Fish Passage Requirements for Waterway 

Crossings (Fairfull and Witheridge 2003) 

• Fish Passage requirements for Waterway Crossings - Engineering Guidelines 

(Witheridge 2002) 

Guidelines encompass a range of commonly constructed works undertaken on rivers and 

streams throughout Victoria, however, no guidelines are intended to cover every aspect or 

situation that can arise. The design and construction of specific works is also dependent on 

the judgement and experience of waterway management professionals. 

In addition, some Victorian CMAs have also commissioned reviews and prioritisations of 

barriers to fish passage within their region. These documents provide a more strategic and 

standardised approach to identifying priorities for works programs in the following CMA 

regions: 

• Mallee Catchment Management Authority region (SKM 2005) 

• Broken, Boosey, Back and Major Creeks, Broken River system (Saddlier and 

O’Connor 2005) 

• Loddon and Campaspe catchments (O’Brien et al. 2006) 

• Murray-Darling Basin listing of highest priority barriers – six occur in Victoria (MDBC 

2004) 

Project objectives 

The CCMA have facilitated fish passage at some sites, such as in the Barwon River, by 

retrofitting fishways to barriers. However, there are a number of other potential barriers in 

coastal streams that have been identified by DSE and the CCMA. 

The overall aim of this project is to identify all potential barriers to fish passage in coastal 

streams in the Corangamite region (i.e. in streams of the Otways coast from the Barwon 

River at Geelong (lower Barwon River only) to the Curdies River at Peterborough). These 

barriers are prioritised on the basis of ecological significance as well as estimated cost of 

providing fish access. This information will then be used to develop a management plan for 

fish passage. 

The specific objectives and outcomes of the present study are to: 

1. Undertake a desktop review of the current information on identified barriers 

2. Undertake field assessments of the barriers where required 

3. Prioritise the barriers in terms of benefits of fish passage and for remediation works 

4. Develop an action plan for restoring fish passage 

5. Develop a strategic fish passage plan with preferred fishway options for the highest 

priority sites in each river system and in each coastal program area (Barwon 

Bellarine/Thompson, Aire/Otways, Curdies/Gellibrand) 

6. Make management recommendations including the steps of rehabilitation based on the 

prioritisation and approximate cost fishway designs. 

4 



2. METHODOLOGY 

Desktop barrier review 

The review of existing information on the potential fish migration barriers was compiled from 

relevant information including the list of fish barriers contained in the Victorian overview 

report (McGuckin and Bennett 1999) and the unpublished Redundant Weir Database (Jarod 

Lyon, pers. comm., ARI). 

Topographic maps of the region were also considered, to determine access points to 

streams and to accurately identify the location of natural waterfall features. 

Relevant MapInfo layers including aerial photography, ISC scores, waterways, roads, 

bridges (and other features) were supplied by the CCMA. This information provided a 

greater interpretative potential than aerial photography alone. Spatial data was utilised to 

determine road and railway crossings, provide riverine habitat quality details and calculate 

distances from barriers to the river mouth and other stream barriers. 

Relevant managers (e.g. Barwon Water, Wannon Water, DSE, Parks Victoria and private 

landholders) were also contacted to ensure that the most up-to-date and accurate 

information was obtained regarding the location and status of all barriers, and to document 

any relevant changes in management. 

Field assessment 

Field assessments of all barriers were conducted in May to September 2009 using a proforma 

(Appendix A), designed to describe the fish passage characteristics of an instream 

barrier and provide data to aid future restoration for fish passage. Attributes recorded 

included the: 

• physical structure of the barrier (e.g. height, breadth, width, slope, construction 

material) 

• stream geomorphology (e.g. depth, substrate type, width, gradient) 

• hydraulic characteristics (e.g. headloss, water velocity characteristics) and 

• assessment of habitat quality (instream and riparian). 

A grid reference (GDA 94 Datum) was recorded at each site using a Magellan © 800 GPS 

and digital photographs were taken to best represent the fish barrier at each site. 

Prioritisation of barriers 

The prioritisation of barriers for remediation works was assessed by scoring each site 

against a number of criteria which relate to the native fish species present, location of the 

barrier in relation to the size of the stream, distance to other barriers, length of accessible 

river upstream and habitat quality and availability (Table 1). The prioritisation process was 

similar to that used in the Loddon and Campaspe catchments by O’Brien et al. (2006) with 

some additional modifications to make it suitable for coastal Victorian streams (as outlined in 

the following section). The ecological prioritisation was conducted for the regional areas: 

Barwon, Bellarine/Thompson, Aire/Otways and Curdies/Gellibrand. 

Assessment of fish communities 

Key information required on the fish communities present include: the number of threatened 

fish and their migratory requirements, number of non-threatened fish and their migratory 

requirements and native fish diversity (Table 1). The occurrence of native fish was 

determined from the DSE Aquatic Fauna Database (DSE 2007a) and various CCMA 

instream survey reports (Koehn and O’Connor 1990, Raadik and Koster 2000, Close et al. 



2002, Barbee et al. 2006, Ryan and McGuckin 2008a and 2008b). Regional fish 

distributions were confirmed with the use of the Guide to the Management of Native Fish: 

Victorian Coastal Rivers, Estuaries and Wetlands (Drew 2008). 

Threatened fish species distributions were determined through interrogation of the Aquatic 

Fauna Database (DSE 2007a), as well as recent survey reports, with the inclusion of 

additional expected locations for Australian grayling (Aire and Gellibrand Rivers). Sites 

where Yarra pygmy perch have been recorded, that do not contain migratory species, were 

considered to be “local movements only”. 

Species diversity was compiled from recent fish survey information. For streams where little 

or no data on fish distribution was known, the diversity of fish from nearby systems of a 

similar size was used as a guide. The occurrence of threatened species, however, was not 

presumed to be transferable. 

Barriers that occur in the lower estuarine habitat of the river systems (such as the lower 

barrage on the Barwon River and the weir on the lower Thompson Creek) were considered 

to have fish diversity greater than eight due to the likely and previously recorded occurrence 

of estuarine and migratory freshwater fish species. 

Barrier location and relative size 

These criteria consider the physical characteristics of the instream barrier to assess the 

degree to which the barrier restricts fish movement. Barrier assessment included 

determination of stream order, proportion of stream obstructed, nearby upstream or 

downstream barriers and the likelihood of barrier drownout during seasonal high flow events. 

Stream order was established to provide an indication of stream size and relative size of the 

catchment upstream. Only those streams with large upstream catchments were noted to 

have a stream order of four including the Barwon, Erskine, St. Georges, Aire, Gellibrand and 

Curdies Rivers. It was important to assess the relative size of the catchment upstream of the 

barrier to provide an indication of the amount of available habitat that could be provided if the 

barrier was removed. Natural barriers (such as waterfalls) and man-made obstructions were 

considered in this calculation matrix, as they all have the potential to prevent fish passage 

upstream. 

The type of barriers occurring upstream and downstream of an existing barrier were also 

assessed to determine the potential for fish passage over the wider area once the barrier 

was removed. Distances of greater than 1km were considered to have some ecological 

benefit, while 5km and 20km were considered to be of far greater value. 

The vertical height of a barrier and its location within the catchment were important 

considerations for the likelihood of being overtopped (or flooded) by larger stream flows. 

Barriers such as stream gauging weirs (particularly those situated in the lower proportion of 

larger catchments), are generally relatively low and can be drowned out during high 

seasonal flows. Barriers that were not likely to be drowned out were therefore scored as a 

more substantial barrier. 

Availability migratory flows 

Access under different flow events is considered important to determine the degree of fish 

movement restriction. Upstream and downstream migration occurs throughout most of the 

year; however in general, most downstream migrations (or drifts) occur in winter while most 

upstream migrations occur in spring and summer. 

An assessment of the flow availability to migratory fish was incorporated as part of a final 

project review. The assessment was based on the seasonality of flows within each stream 

and was largely extracted from SKM (2005b). This SKM report assessed the degree of flow 

stress based on a modelled natural state using a number of parameters including the 

impacts of low flows, high flows, proportion of zero flow, monthly variation in flow and the 

seasonal period of flows. The CCMA compiled the relevant flow stress scores for each of 

these streams assessed in SKM (2005b) and where possible interpreted the scores for 

adjacent streams that had not been assessed. The integrity of seasonal flow patterns 

6 



(compared to natural) therefore provided a direct correlation with the likelihood of migratory 

success. Those systems with over 75% of the natural flow characteristics were considered 

to be of high likelihood of migratory success, 75 - 50% of the natural flow were considered to 

be of moderate likelihood of migratory success, 50 - 25% of the natural flow were considered 

to be of low likelihood of migratory success and systems with less than 25% of the natural 

flow characteristics were considered to be unlikely to provide migratory opportunities. 

Habitat quality and availability 

The quality and availability of habitat at, and upstream, of barrier locations was assessed to 

determine the degree of access to coastal wetlands, as well as the overall condition of 

instream and riparian habitat. 

Floodplain connectivity was considered to be an important habitat feature for many coastal 

species (e.g. Australian mudfish), and as nursery habitat for developing juvenile fish of other 

species. Systems where this habitat was available were considered of higher value and 

therefore deserving of a higher priority ranking. 

Instream and riparian habitat condition was determined at each barrier location and ascribed 

a relative condition score ranging from poor to excellent. Additionally, the Index of Stream 

Condition assessment scores (CCMA MapInfo Database) were utilised to provide an overall 

habitat assessment of the stream reach. 

Strategic fish passage plans 

The ecological prioritisation process will enable identification of the most significant barriers 

to fish migration. The next step is to provide an assessment of the relative benefit for cost of 

providing fish passage at each barrier. For each program area (Curdies/Gellibrand, 

Aire/Otway, Bellarine/Thompsons), the strategic fish passage plan will address the high 

priority sites for providing fish passage as well as preferred fishway options. This process will 

be conducted using a combination of ecological and cost rankings for each region to ensure 

that management priorities are clearly specified for rehabilitating native fish populations. 

Recommendations on additional data requirements and knowledge gaps are also provided. 



Table 1: Fish Barrier Prioritisation Calculation Criteria 

Modified from O’Brien et. al. 2006 

8 



3. FIELD ASSESSMENT OF BARRIERS 

A total of 347 potential stream barriers were inspected from May to September 2009. Of the 

barriers inspected, 108 were considered to be significant instream barriers with 34 identified 

in the Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Creek region, 39 in the Eastern Otways streams to 

the Aire River and 35 in the Western Otways streams to the Curdies River system. 

An overview of the fish barrier assessment region is provided in Figure 2, while detailed 

maps showing specific barrier locations are provided in Figures 3 and 4. Individual 

photographs for these sites are provided in Appendices B, C and D and a summary of site 

inspections is provided in Appendix E. 

Eighteen large dams and weirs were recorded during this study. These include: a 25m high 

earthen dam and spillway at A’Becketts Creek, a 19m high earthen dam and spillway at Allen 

Reservoir (St. Georges River), a 17m (approx.) high concrete wall in the upper Anderson 

Creek and a large 12m high earthen dam on Yarram Creek upstream of Banks Road. 

Road and pedestrian crossings were the most numerous fish barrier type with a total of 52 

identified. Thirty two of these barriers were pipe culvert structures that represented significant 

headloss, velocity and light deterrents to fish passage. A total of 21 concrete regulation and 

gauging weirs were recorded, most of which require the construction of rock ramp fishways. 

Three erosion control rock chutes were also found to represent fish barriers requiring 

refurbishment. 

Fourteen rock ramp fishways also inspected were in need of repair, including four on the 

Barwon River, two on the Gellibrand River, three on Grassy Creek, two on Thompson Creek 

and one each on the Cumberland River, Kennedys Creek and the Curdies River. 

Another 227 locations were inspected and not considered to represent fish barriers 

(Appendix F). Four of these locations included functional fishways, located on the middle 

Barwon River (Conns Lane and McMillans Lane) and the upper Gellibrand River system 

(Gellibrand River at the river ford downstream from Stevensons Falls and Loves Creek at the 

stream gauge off Arkuna Grove). 



4. ECOLOGICAL PRIORITISATION 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

Table 2 provides the biological priority rankings of fish barriers inspected in the lower Barwon 

River catchment, other selected streams of the Bellarine region and Thompson Creek. 

The seven most significant barriers to fish migration in the Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

region were those associated with existing rock ramp fishways, most of which were 

constructed in the early to mid 1990s. This demonstrates the need for more rigorous 

construction guidelines and maintenance schedules for this type of fishway. Of these seven, 

all four lowest Barwon River fishways were the highest priority with the lower barrage being 

the highest priority, followed by Buckleys Falls, Pollocksford and Baums weir. 

In terms of ecological benefits, the barriers closest to the river estuary are more important to 

rectify first. Occurrence of Australian grayling and Australian mudfish and numerous other 

migratory fish species, together with the potential for additional floodplain connection via 

Reedy Lake makes remediation of the lower barrage the top priority. 

The regulator gate to Reedy Lake (approximately 300m upstream of the lower barrage) was 

ranked highly at equal 5 th priority, due to its importance to provide access to floodplain 

habitat which is considered to be very important as nursery habitat for many migratory fish 

species. 

Thompson Creek was the next most important stream to restore fish passage with the 

furthest downstream weir at Minya being the 6 th priority overall, followed by Horseshoe Bend 

(7 th priority overall), Ghazepore stream gauge (12 th ), Ghazepore Road (13 th ), and upstream 

of Anglesea Road (15 th ). The potential occurrence of a diverse range of migratory species 

and the presence of Yarra pygmy perch in this catchment, combined with relatively good 

habitat (including extensive backwater habitat) raises the priority of remediation of these 

barriers. 

Barriers on Waurn Ponds Creek upstream to Jarvis Oval had overall ranking from 8 th to 10 th. 

The occurrence of migratory fish previously known to occur and a large population of Yarra 

pygmy perch were important parameters influencing the higher ranking overall. 

Armstrong Creek and Yarram Creek barriers had the lowest ecological priority due to a lack 

of threatened species and overall low species diversity combined with relatively degraded 

habitat. Of these, the lowest barriers were ranked higher due to the potential to re-establish 

migratory fish communities. 



Table 2: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson catchments 

Barwon River (Lower Barrage) 

Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) 

Barwon River (Buckleys Falls Fishway and weir) 

Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway (stream gauge)) 

Barwon River (400 m u/s Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) 

Armstrong Ck (Cnr Lake Rd ) 

Armstrong Ck (Airport Rd) 

Armstrong Ck Sth branch (Ghazepore Rd) 

Armstrong Ck, Nth branch (Ghazepore Rd) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St, Grovedale u/s bridge) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St, Grovedale) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Natika Crt) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (20 m d/s from footbridge) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Jarvis Rd causeway ) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (rock shute d/s private causeway) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Private ford 1) 


Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Davies)) 

Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Middle weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Upper weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Rail bridge d/s Banks Rd) 

Yarram Ck (Banks Rd) 

Yarram Ck (u/s Banks Rd) 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 1 (Banks Rd) 


Yarram Ck (NE trib) 3 (Knights Lane) 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 4 (Swan Bay Rd) 

Thompsons Ck (Minya Farm) 

Thompsons Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) 

Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore Rd ) 

Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore (stream gauge)) 

Thompsons Ck ( d/s of Anglesea Rd) 

Thompsons Ck ( Pettavel Rd ) 

1: Fish community recorded (and expected) 

Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5) 15 15 15 15 15 0 0 0 0 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 5 5 5 5 5 

Native fish diversity (5) 15 15 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 15 10 5 5 5 5 

Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (3) 12 12 12 12 12 8 4 4 4 12 12 12 8 8 4 4 4 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 12 12 8 8 4 4 

Sub-total (max = 42) 42 42 37 37 37 13 9 9 9 27 27 27 23 18 14 14 9 18 18 18 18 18 9 9 9 9 9 9 37 27 18 18 14 14 

2: Barrier location and relative size 

Stream Order (5) 15 10 15 15 15 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 

Total proportion of stream obstructed (4) 12 4 12 12 8 4 4 4 4 12 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 12 8 8 8 8 4 

Other upstream or downstream barriers (3) 3 0 0 0 9 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 

Fish access through drownout (3) 6 6 6 6 3 6 3 3 3 3 3 6 9 9 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 9 3 9 6 6 6 6 6 3 3 6 6 3 

Sub-total (max = 45) 36 20 33 33 35 15 15 12 12 20 20 23 26 25 22 22 22 19 19 19 19 18 12 18 15 15 15 15 31 24 21 24 24 17 

3: Habitat quality and availability 

Floodplain connectivity (4) 12 12 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 4 4 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 8 8 8 4 4 

Habitat quality (4) 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 4 4 4 4 8 8 8 8 8 4 

Flow and migration potential (Su/Au and Wi/Sp) 12 12 12 12 12 4 4 4 4 12 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 8 4 4 4 4 4 

Sub-total (max = 36) 32 32 28 24 24 12 12 12 12 20 20 20 20 16 16 8 8 12 12 12 12 8 4 0 4 4 4 4 24 20 20 20 16 12 

Total (Max =123) 110 94 98 94 96 40 36 33 33 67 67 70 69 59 52 44 39 49 49 49 49 44 25 27 28 28 28 28 92 71 59 62 54 43 

Ecological Priority 1 4 2 4 3 24 26 27 27 10 10 8 9 13 16 21 25 17 17 17 17 21 34 33 29 29 29 29 6 7 13 12 15 23 

Photo reference (Appendix B:) a,b c d, e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B C D E F G H I J 

16 


Eastern Otways (to Aire River catchment) 

Table 3 provides the biological priority rankings of fish barriers inspected in all Otways 

streams from Jan Juc Creek (Torquay) to Aire River (Glenaire). 

The variety of different streams in the highest ranked priorities for the Eastern Otways region 

reflects the nature of the coastline, with numerous small to medium streams of relatively 

good habitat condition. The furthest downstream barrier on the St Georges River was the 

highest ranked priority, the large barrier at Allen Dam ranked equal 6 th and the stream gauge 

downstream from Allenvale Road ranked equal 8 th most important. The major difference in 

the latter two barriers was influenced by the different barrier heights and therefore drownout 

potential. The occurrence of Australian grayling and other migratory fish species and very 

good instream and riparian condition were major contributing factors. 

The lower barriers on the Barham River East Branch (stream gauge) ranked 2 nd and equal 

6 th (‘Oldenzaal’ causeway) highest priority in this region. Again the occurrence of Australian 

grayling and other migratory fish species and very good instream and riparian condition were 

major contributing factors to this high ranking. 

The lowest barrier on the Anglesea River at Coalmine Road was ranked the 3 rd highest fish 

passage priority. This barrier is located on the top end of the estuarine margin of this stream 

and was considered to be particularly important due to the relatively unique coastal swamp 

habitat upstream. The other barriers further upstream within the Alcoa Mine ranked equal 

11 th most important. 

The relatively small barriers on Grassy Creek were ranked 4 th , and equal 8 th most important 

to rectify. Previous records of Australian grayling and good instream and riparian habitat 

were significant influences on this high ranking, despite the lack of stream flow at the time of 

inspection. 

The stream gauging weir in the upper Aire River was ranked equal 4 th most important due to 

the pristine condition of the riparian and instream habitat, diverse fish population, including 

the likelihood of occurrence of Australian grayling. 

The causeway on the lower Cumberland River ranked 15 th highest priority, while the Skenes 

Creek barrier equal 13 th with Carisbrook Creek barrier. All three of these streams have 

previous records of Australian grayling and good freshwater fish diversity (including other 

migratory species) as well as good quality instream habitat. 

Next highest priorities included Anderson Creek at Montrose Drive, the furthest downstream 

Skenes Creek causeway, Moggs Creek at Boyd Avenue and the numerous pipeline 

crossings below the West Barham storage dam. 

17


Table 3: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in the Eastern Otways streams (to Aire River) 

Jan Juc Ck (Clubhouse Rd) 

Jan Juc Ck (Dam wall nth Sunset Strip) 

Jan Juc Ck (Bells Beach Rd) 

Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) 

Anglesea River (u/s Hall Rd in mine) 

Anglesea River (Inside mine (old stream gauge)) 

Anglesea River (Alcoa Boundary Tk) 

Painkalac Creek (d/s Old Coach Rd) 

Distillery Creek (Old Coach Rd) 

Distillery Creek (Bambrae Rd) 

Moggs Ck (Boyd Ave) 

Coalmine Ck (Off Moggs Ck Rd) 

Fairhaven Ck (GOR) 

Grassy Ck (Inside Geoff property #1) 



Anderson’s Ck (GOR) 

Anderson’s Ck Nth Branch (GOR) 

Anderson’s Ck (Old GOR, 20m u/s of other) 

Reedy Ck (u/s GOR, 20m ) 

Erskine River (700m d/s Erskine Falls) 

St George River (u/s GOR) 

St George River (50m d/s Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) 

St George River (Allen Reservoir) 

Cherry Tree Ck (St G R. trib) (Allenvale Rd) 

Cumberland River (30m u/s GOR) 

Carisbrook Ck (u/s GOR ) 

Skenes Ck (Farm u/s GOR ) 

Skenes Ck (‘Constantia’ farm u/s GOR) 

Beauty Gully (Conns Lane) 

Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) 

Anderson Creek (Andersons Ck Dam) 

East Barham River (Barham River Road (stream gauge)) 

East Barham River (Barham River Road - Oldenzaal) 

East Barham River (Farrington) 

West Barham River (Downstream of town supply weir (x13)) 

West Barham River (Town supply weir) 

Elliot River (Elliot River Road) 

Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 


Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5) 0 0 0 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 10 10 0 15 15 15 0 0 0 0 15 15 15 15 0 15 15 15 15 0 10 0 15 15 15 15 15 0 15 

Native fish diversity (5) 10 5 5 15 10 10 5 10 5 5 10 10 5 10 10 10 5 5 5 10 5 15 10 10 5 15 15 10 10 10 10 5 15 10 10 10 10 5 10 

Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (4) 8 8 8 8 8 8 6 12 4 4 8 8 4 12 12 12 4 4 4 8 10 12 12 12 4 12 8 8 8 8 8 4 12 12 8 8 8 4 8 

Sub-total (max = 42) 18 13 13 33 28 28 11 22 9 9 28 28 9 37 37 37 9 9 9 18 30 42 37 37 9 42 38 33 33 18 28 9 42 37 33 33 33 9 33 


Stream Order (5) 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 15 

Total proportion of stream obstructed (4) 12 8 8 12 12 12 12 12 8 8 12 8 12 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 0 12 8 8 8 8 4 12 12 8 8 8 8 8 4 8 4 8 4 

Other upstream or downstream barriers (3) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 9 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 

Fish access through drownout (3) 3 9 9 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 9 6 3 3 9 9 9 9 9 3 3 9 3 3 3 6 9 3 9 9 6 9 3 0 9 6 0 

Sub-total (max = 45) 23 22 22 25 25 25 25 28 16 16 29 25 26 28 25 25 22 22 22 31 19 25 21 27 16 21 26 28 31 25 27 27 24 27 17 18 23 24 28 


Floodplain connectivity (4) 4 0 0 12 12 12 8 8 4 4 4 4 0 4 4 4 0 0 0 4 4 4 4 4 0 4 4 4 4 8 8 4 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Habitat quality (4) 4 4 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 12 12 12 8 12 8 4 4 4 4 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 12 12 

18 


Flow and migration potential (Su/Au and Wi/Sp) 4 4 4 12 12 12 12 8 8 8 12 8 8 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 12 12 12 12 12 8 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 

Sub-total (max = 36) 12 8 8 32 32 32 28 24 20 20 24 20 16 24 24 24 16 16 16 20 28 28 28 24 24 20 20 20 20 24 28 24 28 24 24 24 24 28 28 

Total (Max =123) 53 43 43 90 85 85 64 74 45 45 81 73 51 89 86 86 47 47 47 69 77 95 86 88 49 83 84 81 84 67 83 60 94 88 74 75 80 61 89 

Ecological Priority 30 38 38 3 11 11 27 22 36 36 17 24 31 4 8 8 33 33 33 25 20 1 8 6 32 15 13 17 13 26 15 29 2 6 22 21 19 28 4 

Photo reference (Appendix C:) a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q,r s t u v w x y,z A B C D E F G H I J K L,M N O P


Western Otways (to Curdies River) 

Table 4 provides ecological priority ranking of fish barriers inspected in all Otways streams 

west of Aire River (Glenaire) to the Curdies River catchment. 

Fish barriers in the Gellibrand River catchment represent most of the highest ranked 

priorities in this region. While Australian grayling have not been recorded in this system, they 

are expected to occur along with numerous other migratory and resident fish species. 

Excellent instream and riparian habitat also greatly influenced the relatively high ranking of 

the Gellibrand River barriers. 

The first barrier occurs at the rock ramp fishway constructed at the weir at Lyness Road. 

While a significant improvement has been made at this location, a substantial gradient (1 

vertical in 25 horizontal m) still exists at the downstream end of the rock ramp that would 

restrict fish migration, particularly during lower flow conditions. 

Other high priority barriers include a disused stream gauge on the Gellibrand River near 

Clancy’s Access, the gauging weirs on Kennedy’s Creek, Chapple Creek, Lardners Creek, 

Carlisle River, Chapple Creek south branch, the Gellibrand River downstream of Stevensons 

Falls and on Boggy Creek. 

The stream gauge near Limeworks Road on the Curdies still represented a fish barrier due to 

the steep downstream gradient and was ranked 4 th priority. The potential for migratory fish 

species, occurrence of Yarra pygmy perch in the vicinity and high stream order influenced 

the relatively high ranking of this barrier. Other higher ranked priorities in the Curdies River 

catchment included a stream gauge and fishway on Scotts Creek at Digneys Bridge, the 

large farm dam on Spring Creek at Delaneys and old stream gauge on Scotts Creek 

upstream of Murfitts Road and Squirrel Creek lower in the catchment. 



Table 4: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in Western Otways streams (to Curdies River) 

Carmichael Creek (Plantation Road) 

Sherbrook River (Loch Road) 

Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m u/s bridge) 

Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd gauge and fishway) 

Chapple Ck South Branch (Morris Tk) 

Gellibrand River (Lyness Road - Nth Otway pumping station) 

Gellibrand River (200m d/s Clancys Access (old stream gauge)) 

Gellibrand River (d/s Stevensons Falls (stream gauge)) 

Boggy Ck (Carlisle Rd) 

Carlisle River (Gellibrand River Rd) 

Cole Ck (Tuckers Orchard Rd) 

First Ck ( Water catchment weir) 

Arkins Ck west branch ( Water catchment weir) 

Arkins Ck east branch ( Water catchment weir) 

Lardners Ck (Gellibrand East Rd Stream gauge)) 

Yahoo Ck (Gellibrand – Colac Rd (old stream gauge)) 

Serpentine Ck (McDonalds Rd ) 

Ten Mile Creek (Cashins Rd ) 

Ten Mile Creek (Cashins Rd (stream guage)) 

Ten Mile Creek (PA off Cashins Rd ) 

Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd (stream gauge)) 

Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd) 

Squirrel Ck (Brumbys Rd) 

Spring Creek (Tom Delaney Farm) 

Spring Creek (Crofts Rd) 

Spring Creek trib (Walkers Crossing #2) 

Spring Creek (Walkers Crossing) 

Spring Creek (D/S Curdievale-Port Campbell Rd) 

Curdies River (Trestle bridge gauge & fishway) 

Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream gauge)) 

Scotts Creek (20m u/s Murfitts Rd (old stream gauge)) 

A'Becketts Creek (End of Cowen's Lane) 

Cooriemungle Ck (Williams Rd 20m d/s) 

Cobden Ck (Adjacent to Cobden Sewerage Treatment Facility) 

Cobden Ck (Camperdown - Cobden Rd) 


Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5) 0 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 5 0 0 0 0 

Native fish diversity (5) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 15 15 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 5 5 5 5 

Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (4) 8 8 8 12 8 12 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 8 8 4 4 4 4 

Sub-total (max = 42) 18 18 28 32 28 32 28 28 18 28 9 9 9 9 28 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 27 27 22 18 18 18 23 23 23 9 9 9 9 


Stream Order (5) 5 5 10 10 10 15 15 15 10 15 5 5 5 5 10 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 5 10 10 15 10 10 5 5 5 5 

Total proportion of stream obstructed (4) 8 8 4 4 4 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 8 8 0 8 4 8 4 4 4 4 4 4 

Other upstream or downstream barriers (3) 9 3 9 9 9 9 6 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 9 6 6 12 6 3 3 

Fish access through drownout (3) 6 3 6 6 0 3 6 3 6 3 6 9 9 9 9 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 6 6 6 6 6 3 6 6 9 6 6 3 

Sub-total (max = 45) 28 19 29 29 23 35 35 25 23 25 18 24 24 24 33 21 18 12 12 12 12 12 18 24 24 11 24 20 35 26 26 30 21 18 15 


Floodplain connectivity (4) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 8 8 4 4 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Habitat quality (4) 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 4 8 0 12 12 12 4 8 4 8 8 8 4 4 0 4 4 4 8 4 8 8 4 4 4 4 4 

Flow and migration potential (Su/Au and Wi/Sp) 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 8 8 8 8 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 8 4 4 4 4 4 12 12 12 8 12 12 12 

Sub-total (max = 36) 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 20 24 12 24 24 24 20 24 20 24 24 24 20 20 16 16 12 12 16 8 24 20 16 12 16 16 16 

Total (Max =123) 70 61 81 85 75 91 87 77 61 77 39 57 57 57 81 54 47 45 45 45 41 41 61 67 58 41 58 46 82 69 65 51 46 43 40 

Ecological Priority 10 14 5 3 9 1 2 7 14 7 35 19 19 19 5 22 24 27 27 27 31 31 14 12 17 31 17 25 4 11 13 23 25 30 34 

Photo reference (Appendix D:) a b c d e f g h i j k l m,n o,p q r s t u v w x y z,A B C D E F G H I J K,L M 

20 



5. ECOLOGICAL BENEFIT / COST ASSESSMENT 

The type of fishway required at each barrier was identified at the time of inspection. The 

types of fishways include vertical-slot structures (suitable for high barriers from 1.5 m and 

greater), bypass channels (applicable to large earthen dam walls) and rock ramp structures 

(suitable for lower barriers of 1.5 m or less). The stream crossing protocol (Witheridge 2002; 

Fairfull and Witheridge 2003) includes as the first option, barrier removal (where applicable), 

followed by the installation of a single spanning bridge, installation of a suitable fishway in the 

existing structure or (and as a final solution), the installation of suitably designed box 

culverts. A brief summary of the different fishway options are provided in Appendix G. 

The fishway construction costs were estimated and applied to all barriers, using the past 

experience and knowledge of the project team, of construction costs of the project team. 

The size of the barrier and stream and degree of downstream slope are all necessary 

considerations for fishway construction estimations. The higher level of construction required 

for vertical slot and bypass channel fishways generally result in a higher overall cost. 

Fishway types and other restoration works are listed as vertical-slot fishway (VSF), bypass 

channel fishway (BCF), rectification of a stream crossing (remove, span bridge or box culvert 

- RSB), rock ramp refurbishment (RRR), new rock ramp (NRR) and excavation and erosion 

control (EEC) (which includes complete barrier removal). 

Fishway maintenance was often neglected but requires formal acknowledgement and 

management, including written protocols and regular monitoring and reporting. At present, 

there appears to be no routine fishway performance and maintenance assessment in 

Victoria. Maintenance is best done as part of a structured inspection programme or protocol 

that defines the times when the facility must work. 

The cost estimate also includes an approximation of the likely ongoing costs of maintaining 

each fishway. The maintenance costs are estimated for a ten year period and include a 

number of recommended activities including frequent inspections of trash racks, assessment 

of fishway entrance and fishway exit conditions to ensure it remains clear of obstructions 

(including weeds sediment and large debris) as well as velocity and headloss measurements 

to ensure the fishway is functioning with its design criteria. Additional maintenance on an 

annual basis should also include a detailed visual inspection of the entire structure 

(preferably during a low flow or de-watering period) to inspect for damage, wear, debris and 

blockages, particularly following major flooding events. 

The relative maintenance costs of different fishways are provided in Table 5. Rock ramp 

fishways are relatively cheap to construct, however, the ongoing maintenance is relatively 

higher, particularly after high flow events. As such, the life-time (usually 10-15 years) 

maintenance costs might be at least 30% of the original construction costs. Maintenance 

costs on bypass channels are also likely to be significant, while ongoing costs on vertical-slot 

and excavation and erosion control measures (including complete barrier removal) are 

relatively low. Rectification of stream crossing barriers will vary according to the method 

chosen, however in most cases the ongoing maintenance will not exceed 10% of the works 

conducted. 

The following tables provide cost estimates for each fishway together with an approximation 

of the likely ongoing life-time maintenance costs associated with each fishway type 

(expressed as a percentage of the construction costs). 


21


Table 5: Fishway construction types and works required at each barrier 

together with approximate ongoing maintenance expenses 

Work required 

Ongoing costs 

VSF = Vertical Slot Fishway ~10 % 

BC = Bypass Channel ~20 % 

RSB = Remove, Span bridge or Box culvert ~10 % 

RRR = Rock Ramp Refurbishment ~30 % 

NRR = New Rock Ramp ~30 % 

EEC = Excavation and Erosion Control ~5 % 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson 

The benefit for cost assessment for the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Creek region 

is provided in Table 6. 

The relatively inexpensive fish passage works on lower and middle Waurn Ponds Creek 

makes it a relatively easy stream to restore up to as far as Jarvis Oval for a cost of 

approximately ~$70, 000. This would include the complete removal of two instream barriers 

(estimated at ~$5,000 each) and replacement of instream pedestrian causeways with 

spanning bridges (estimated at ~$30,000 each). This would provide greater fish passage for 

migratory fish within the system and would also provide additional fish passage for the Yarra 

pygmy perch population in the system. 

Thompson Creek fish passage works were also relatively inexpensive at approximately 

~$80,000 for the five upstream barriers. However, it would first be necessary to restore fish 

passage at the lowest barrier at Minya Winery. Because of the importance of this fish barrier 

to a range of migratory species and the height of the weir (1.95 m) it is recommended a 

vertical-slot fishway would be most suitable and would cost approximately ~$150,000. The 

rock ramp fishway constructed at this site on June 2000 has been completely blocked with 

sediment and weeds, a process that is likely to continue at this location if replaced with 

another rock ramp fishway. 

The ecological benefit for cost of fish passage works on the Barwon River was greatest at 

Pollocksford Weir, where rock ramp refurbishment is required. This location also supports 

Yarra pygmy perch and would therefore provide greater migration opportunities and security 

for this population. The other barriers further downstream in the Barwon River have 

substantially greater construction requirements and costs. However, the installation of a 

vertical-slot fishway at the lower barrage should be undertaken in preference to other 

restoration works at the other three barriers. Substantial effort would be required to reconstruct 

the rock ramp fishway at Buckleys Falls and a vertical-slot fishway is likely to be 

the most suitable solution for Baums Weir. Re-establishing fish passage into Reedy Lake by 

the installation of a vertical-slot fishway should also be considered given its low location in 

the catchment and the potential importance of this floodplain habitat as a nursery for many 

migratory fish species. 

22 



Eastern Otways (to Aire River catchment) 



Within the Eastern Otways region, a number of cost effective works aimed at providing fish 

passage were identified on nine streams near the coastline. These included streams where 

Australian grayling have previously been recorded including Carisbrook Creek, East Barham 

River, Cumberland River, Grassy Creek, Painkalac River, Jan Juc Creek and St Georges 

River. The total cost of these works is estimated at approximately ~$100,000. 

Skenes Creek was identified as 16 th and equal 17 th priority with a total estimated cost of 

~$80,000. Works at this location included two spanning bridges (or box culvert stream 

crossings). 

The Anglesea River was also identified as a relatively cost effective priority with ranking from 

15 th to 23 rd and a total estimated cost of ~$240,000. As discussed earlier, the swampy 

floodplain habitat that the Anglesea River provides is unique along this part of the coastline 

and should be protected where possible. There may be significant opportunities at this 

stream for cost sharing due to works with Barwon Water (Coalmine Road), Alcoa (next two 

barriers within Mine boundaries) and Parks Victoria (Alcoa Boundary Track). 

Most other barriers in this region are located further upstream in the respective streams or 

are larger structures requiring significantly more construction effort. 

Western Otways (to Curdies River) 



Six of the first ten most cost effective priorities were identified in the Gellibrand River 

catchment. These include: the gauging weir and fishway in the Gellibrand River downstream 

from Stevensons Falls; the old gauging weir on the Gellibrand River near Clancy’s Access 

and the old gauging weir on Yahoo Creek near Gellibrand; the stream gauge and fishway on 

the Gellibrand River at Lyness Road; the pipe culvert crossing at Carlisle Road on Boggy 

Creek and the gauging weir and fishway in the Kennedys Creek at Macintyres Road. The 

total cost of these works is estimated at approximately ~$65,000. 

Fish barriers at the gauging weirs and fishways on Curdies River (at Limestone Creek) and 

Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge and Murfitts Road) were also identified as high cost effective 

priorities (total estimated cost of ~$35,000). 

The benefits of undertaking any restoration works on Spring Creek would need to first 

consider the cost of restoring passage through the lower barriers in the catchment which 

would total at least ~$410,000. 


23


Table 6: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers of lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson catchments 

Barwon River (Lower Barrage) 

Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) 

Barwon River (Buckleys Falls Fishway and weir) 

Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway (stream gauge)) 

Barwon River (400 m u/s Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) 

Armstrong Ck (Cnr Lake Rd ) 

Armstrong Ck (Airport Rd) 

Armstrong Ck Sth branch (Ghazepore Rd) 

Armstrong Ck, Nth branch (Ghazepore Rd) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St, Grovedale u/s bridge) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St, Grovedale) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Natika Crt) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (20 m d/s from footbridge) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (Jarvis Rd causeway ) 

Waurn Ponds Ck (rock chute d/s private causeway) 



Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Davies)) 

Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Middle weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Upper weir (Mason)) 

Yarram Ck (Rail bridge d/s Banks Rd) 

Yarram Ck (Banks Rd) 

Yarram Ck (u/s Banks Rd) 



Yarram Ck (NE trib) 3 (Knights Lane) 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 4 (Swan Bay Rd) 

Thompsons Ck (Minya Farm) 

Thompsons Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) 

Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore Rd ) 

Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore (stream gauge)) 

Thompsons Ck ( u/s of Anglesea Rd) 

Thompsons Ck ( Pettavel Rd ) 

Work required VSF VSF VSF VSF RRR RSB RSB RSB RSB EEC RSB RSB EEC RSB RSB RSB RSB BCFF BCF BCF BCF NRR RSB BCF BCF BCF RSB RSB VSF RRR NRR NRR EEC EEC 

Estimated Cost 150 150 200 150 20 40 70 70 70 5 30 30 5 70 10 40 40 100 100 100 100 70 70 300 200 200 120 120 150 20 40 10 10 15 

Removal with no ongoing maintenance (1 or 2) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.05 0.05 

Total Ecological Benefit 110 94 98 94 96 40 36 33 33 67 67 70 69 59 52 44 39 49 49 49 49 44 25 27 28 28 28 28 92 71 59 62 54 43 

Relative Benefit / Cost 67 57 45 57 369 91 47 43 43 1218 203 212 1314 77 473 100 89 41 41 41 41 48 32 8 12 12 21 21 56 273 134 477 514 273 

Benefit / Cost Priority 16 17 22 17 6 13 21 23 23 2 10 9 1 15 5 12 14 25 25 25 25 20 29 34 32 32 30 30 19 7 11 4 3 8 

Table 7: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers in the Eastern Otways streams (to Aire River) 

24 


Jan Juc Ck (Clubhouse Rd) 

Jan Juc Ck (Dam wall nth Sunset Strip) 

Jan Juc Ck (Bells Beach Rd) 

Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) 

Anglesea River (u/s Hall Rd in mine) 

Anglesea River (Inside mine (old stream gauge)) 

Anglesea River (Alcoa Boundary Tk) 

Painkalac Creek (d/s Old Coach Rd) 

Distillery Creek (Old Coach Rd) 

Distillery Creek (Bambrae Rd) 

Moggs Ck (Boyd Ave) 

Coalmine Ck (Off Moggs Ck Rd) 

Fairhaven Ck (GOR) 




Anderson’s Ck (GOR) 

Anderson’s Ck Nth Branch (GOR) 

Anderson’s Ck (Old GOR, 20m u/s of other) 

Reedy Ck (u/s GOR, 20m ) 

Erskine River (700m d/s Erskine Falls) 

St George River (u/s GOR) 

St George River (50m d/s Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) 

St George River (Allen Reservoir) 

Cherry Tree Ck (St G R. trib) (Allenvale Rd) 

Cumberland River (30m u/s GOR) 

Carisbrook Ck (u/s GOR ) 

Skenes Ck (Farm u/s GOR ) 

Skenes Ck (‘Constantia’ farm u/s GOR) 

Beauty Gully (Conns Lane) 

Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) 

Anderson Creek (Andersons Ck Dam) 

East Barham River (Barham River Road (stream gauge)) 

East Barham River (Barham River Road - Oldenzaal) 

East Barham River (Farrington) 

West Barham River (Downstream of town supply weir (x13)) 

West Barham River (Town supply weir) 

Elliot River (Elliot River Road) 

Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 

Work required RSB BCF RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RRR RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB RSB EEC RSB EEC RSB EEC BCF RSB RRR EEC RSB RSB RSB RSB VSF RRR RSB RSB NRR VSF RSB NRR 

Estimated Cost ( x $1000) 10 500 150 70 70 70 30 10 40 40 30 30 1000 10 10 10 200 200 70 200 80 30 10 2000 40 5 5 40 40 30 70 1700 15 70 70 40 300 30 40 

Removal with no ongoing maintenance (1 or 2) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.05 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.05 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 

Total Ecological Benefit 53 43 43 90 85 85 64 74 45 45 81 73 51 89 86 86 47 47 47 69 77 95 86 88 49 83 84 81 84 67 83 60 94 88 74 75 80 61 89 

Relative Benefit / Cost 482 7 26 117 110 110 194 569 102 102 245 221 5 809 782 782 21 21 61 31 92 288 662 4 111 1277 1600 184 191 203 108 3 482 114 96 170 24 185 202 

Benefit / Cost Priority 9 36 32 20 23 23 15 7 26 26 11 12 37 3 4 4 34 34 30 31 29 10 6 38 22 2 1 18 16 13 25 39 8 21 28 19 33 17 14


Table 8: Benefit for Cost Prioritisation for the Fish Barriers in Otways streams west of the Aire River to Curdies River 

Carmichael Creek (Plantation Road) 

Sherbrook River (Loch Road) 

Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m u/s bridge) 

Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd gauge and fishway) 

Chapple Ck South Branch (Morris Tk) 

Gellibrand River (Lyness Road - Nth Otway pumping station) 

Gellibrand River (200m d/s Clancys Access (old stream gauge)) 

Gellibrand River (d/s Stevensons Falls (stream gauge)) 

Boggy Ck (Carlisle Rd) 

Carlisle River (Gellibrand River Rd) 

Cole Ck (Tuckers Orchard Rd) 

First Ck ( Water catchment weir) 

Arkins Ck west branch ( Water catchment weir) 

Arkins Ck east branch ( Water catchment weir) 

Lardners Ck (Gellibrand East Rd Stream gauge)) 

Yahoo Ck (Gellibrand – Colac Rd (old stream gauge)) 

Serpentine Ck (McDonalds Rd ) 

Ten Mile Creek (Cashins Rd ) 

Ten Mile Creek (Cashins Rd (stream guage)) 

Ten Mile Creek (PA off Cashins Rd ) 

Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd (stream gauge)) 

Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd) 

Squirrel Ck (Brumbys Rd) 

Spring Creek (Tom Delaney Farm) 

Spring Creek (Crofts Rd) 

Spring Creek trib (Walkers Crossing #2) 

Spring Creek (Walkers Crossing) 

Spring Creek (D/S Curdievale-Port Campbell Rd) 

Curdies River (Trestle bridge gauge & fishway) 

Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream gauge)) 

Scotts Creek (20m u/s Murfitts Rd (old stream gauge)) 

A'Becketts Creek (End of Cowen's Lane) 

Cooriemungle Ck (Williams Rd 20m d/s) 

Cobden Ck (Adjacent to Cobden Sewerage Treatment Facility) 

Cobden Ck (Camperdown - Cobden Rd) 

Work required RSB RSB NRR RRR NRR RRR EEC RRR RRR RRR RRR VSF VSF VSF NRR EEC NRR RSB NRR RSB NRR RSB BCF BCF BCF RSB RSB RSB RRR RRR EEC BCF EEC NRR BCF 

Estimated Cost ( x $1000) 30 40 30 15 30 15 10 10 10 30 30 800 900 1000 30 5 30 30 10 30 10 40 40 300 40 30 40 10 10 10 10 1000 10 20 1000 

Ongoing maintenance cost (% original cost) 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.05 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.05 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.05 0.3 0.2 

Total Ecological Benefit 70 61 81 85 75 91 87 77 61 77 39 57 57 57 81 54 47 45 45 45 41 41 61 67 58 41 58 46 82 69 65 51 46 43 40 

Relative Benefit / Cost 212 139 208 436 192 467 829 592 469 197 100 6 6 5 208 1029 121 136 346 136 315 93 127 19 121 124 132 418 631 531 500 4 438 165 3 

Benefit / Cost Priority 14 20 15 10 18 8 2 4 7 17 28 31 32 33 15 1 27 21 12 21 13 29 24 30 26 25 23 11 3 5 6 34 9 19 35 


25


6. STRATEGIC FISH PASSAGE PLANS 

Overall fishway construction priority 

A summary of the ecological ranking and priority, as well as the benefit for cost priority for all 

barriers is provided in Appendix H. By sorting this dataset by the ecological priority and then 

the benefit for cost priority it is possible to disseminate an order of fish passage restoration. 

The four fish barriers identified at highest overall priority with high ecological and benefit for 

cost ratings were: 

• Pollocksford stream gauge on the Barwon River (Appendix B ); 

• The pedestrian causeway on the St Georges River Appendix C ); 

• East Barham River stream gauge (Appendix C ) and 

• The Lyness Road stream gauge on the Gellibrand River (Appendix D). 

The causeway on the lower St Georges River requires complete removal and preferably 

replacement with a single spanning bridge, which was estimated at approximately ~$30,000. 

Rock ramp fishways have previously been constructed at the three stream gauges listed 

above, however, field inspections identified potential fish passage issues still occurring at 

these locations. For minor expense (~$10,000 to $20,000 each) additional rock ramp 

construction could be conducted at each of these barriers to improve the downstream 

gradient to 1 vertical in 25 horizontal (m) and incorporate a low flow channel to enhance fish 

passage for smaller species not capable of moving during the high water velocity associated 

with peak flow conditions. 

Ecologically important fishway priority sites that are likely to be more expensive to construct 

are the Lower Barrage, Reedy Lake Regulator, Buckleys Falls and Baums Weir on the 

Barwon River as well as the tidal barrage weir on Thompson Creek. Vertical-slot fishways 

have been recommended at each of these locations because these fishways provide more 

effective passage over higher gradients for a larger diversity of native fish species. The 

estimated cost for fishway construction at Buckleys Falls (~$200,000) is significantly more 

than the other locations due to the potential difficulty in getting heavy machinery at the 

location. 

Another fish passage barrier identified with a high ecological priority is the Coalmine Road 

causeway on the Anglesea River. Significant headloss, constriction and light issues were 

identified at this location at the upper end of the Anglesea River estuary. A single spanning 

bridge is likely to represent the most effective fish passage solution at this location, providing 

greater access to the good quality floodplain habitat upstream for numerous native species, 

potentially including Australian mudfish. 

The next category of overall priority includes the sites with good ecological rating and high 

benefit for cost rating. These include: the identified barriers at the three causeways on 

Grassy Creek; the stream gauging weir on the St George River downstream from Allenvale 

Road; the causeway on the Cumberland River; the stream gauging weir on the Gellibrand 

River near Clancys Access and the stream gauging weir on Kennedys Creek at Macintyres 

Road. Single spanning bridges, larger cut-outs or box culverts were identified solutions for 

the three Grassy Creek sites. The complete removal of the disused stream gauges on the St 

Georges River downstream of Allenvale Road and Gellibrand River at Clancys Access is 

recommended as the preferred low cost option with no foreseen ongoing maintenance 

issues. More conventional, vertical baffles of appropriate size are recommended at the 

Cumberland River causeway to overcome significant velocity issues at this site and rock 

ramp refurbishment is required at the stream gauge on Kennedys Creek to overcome 

excessive gradient, headloss and velocity issues. 

While the stream gauging weir on the Aire River is a significant distance upstream 

(approximately 38 km from the river mouth), the potential for improved passage of diverse 

fish assemblage is likely given the size of the stream and excellent habitat quality. It 

26 



represents the only barrier in the good ecological/good benefit for cost category and requires 

the construction a new rock ramp fishway incorporating a low flow channel and potential cutout 

of the existing concrete weir. 

The replacement of pipe culvert causeways with single spanning or box culvert crossings at 

the two private crossings on Skenes Creek and on Moggs Creek at Boyd Avenue were 

among the next category of barriers within the fair ecological /good benefit for cost category. 

These works were estimated to cost around ~$40,000 each (plus ongoing maintenance of 

10% over 10-15 years). Other barriers in this category were stream gauging weirs on 

Chapple Creek at Sand Pits Road and Lardners Creek on Gellibrand East Road. Both of 

these barriers require the construction of new rock ramp fishways at an estimated cost of 

~$30,000 each, plus ongoing maintenance of 30% over 10-15 years. 

Fair ecological/fair benefit for cost ranked barriers include two road causeways within the 

Alcoa Mine on Anglesea River, the large gauging weir on Erskine River, the road crossing 

causeways on Andersons Creek at Montrose Avenue and East Barham River at ‘Oldenzaal’. 

The width and height of all four road causeways increased the estimated replacement costs 

to ~$70,000 for each, plus 10% ongoing maintenance costs. These locations will require 

additional design and negotiation with all stakeholders, including land owners and managers, 

to develop the most appropriate management schedules. 

The large weir below Erskine Falls was previous utilised is a water supply dam, but is 

currently not used. The lack of access and size of the structure would result in a significant 

extra cost to remove the structure. The previous occurrence of Australian grayling, the very 

good instream and riparian habitat ensured that this stream was ranked highly despite the 

presence of significant natural waterfalls downstream of the structure and the potential to 

open up less than 1 km of stream up to Erskine Falls. Additional consultation over the further 

benefits of this structure may be required. 

A number of additional high benefit for cost fish passage remedial works were also identified 

within the upper 50 ecological priority barriers. While the project team believe that the 

ecological priority should guide the fishway restoration in the CCMA, there are significant 

advantages to be gained by rectifying fish passage at a large number of locations for a 

relatively inexpensive cost. In particular, complete removal of instream barriers and simple 

rock ramp and culvert fishway refurbishment can be conducted at a number of locations for 

the cost of one major fishway. Complete barrier removals were recommended in Waurn 

Ponds Creek (upstream of the Bridge on Param Street causeway and downstream of 

Pioneer Road) and in Carisbrook Creek upstream of the Great Ocean Road. Old stream 

gauging weirs on Yahoo Creek (upper Gellibrand River catchment) and Scotts Creek 

upstream of Murfitts Road were also recommended for complete removal despite being in 

the lower ranked ecologically important barriers. 

Low cost rock ramp and box culvert fishway refurbishments were identified at: Thompson 

Creek at Horseshoe Bend Road; the erosion control chute in the Painkalac Creek 

downstream from Old Coach Road; the stream gauging weirs on the Gellibrand River 

downstream from Stevensons Falls; the Curdies River near Limestone Creek; Scotts Creek 

at Digneys Bridge and Scotts Creek upstream of Murfitts Road. 

A new rock ramp fishway is required at the stream gauging station downstream of 

Ghazepore Road on Thompson Creek. Although this was considered to be an inexpensive 

activity, with a total maximum cost of approximately $10,000, the significant barrier at 

Ghazepore Road should also be addressed at the same time. The cost of improving fish 

passage at this large concrete structure (which appears to represent an erosion control 

structure of some kind) could be limiting. Assuming this large structure is currently in use, at 

least $40,000 would be required to construct a new rock ramp fishway. 

The replacement of pedestrian causeways with single spanning pedestrian bridges on Waurn 

Ponds Creek adjacent to Natika Court and Param Street at an estimated cost of ~$30,000 

each are also worthy of consideration. Restoration of fish passage in Waurn Ponds Creek 

would provide additional stream access to the threatened Yarra pygmy perch population and 

also to migratory native fish populations including common and spotted galaxias and tupong 

that have previously been recorded in the system. A complete restoration of fish passage in 

Waurn Ponds Creek upstream to Jarvis Oval (approximately 6km of habitat) could be 

achieved for approximately $70,000. 



Table 9: Overall CCMA Fish Barrier Restoration Strategy 

Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Eastern Otways to Aire River Western Otways to Curdies River 

1. High Ecological and High Benefit for cost barriers 

• Barwon River (400 m upstream of 

Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) 

• Thompson Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) 

• St George River (upstream of GOR) 

• Gellibrand River (Lyness Road) 

• Gellibrand River at Clancys Access (old 

stream gauge)) 

• Gellibrand River (downstream of 

Stevensons Falls (stream gauge)) 

2. High Ecological and Good Benefit for cost barriers 

• Barwon River (Lower Barrage) 

• Thompson Ck (Minya Farm) 

• Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) 

• Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) 

• East Barham River (Barham River Road 


• Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway 


3. Good Ecological and High Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (20 m d/s from 

footbridge) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (Natika Crt) 

• Grassy Ck (x 3) 

• Cumberland River 

• Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd (stream 

gauge and fishway) 

• Curdies River (Trestle bridge gauge & 

fishway) 

4. Good Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• St George River (50m downstream of 

Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) 

• Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 

• Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m upstream 

bridge) 

• Lardners Ck (Gellibrand East Rd (stream 

gauge)) 

5. Fair Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Skenes Ck (x 2 ) 

• Moggs Ck (Boyd Ave) 

6. Fair Ecological and Fair Benefit for Cost Barriers 

• Anglesea River (upstream of Hall Rd in 

mine) 

• Anglesea River (Inside mine (old stream 

gauge)) 

• Erskine River (700m downstream of 

Erskine Falls) 

• Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) 

• East Barham River (Barham River Road - 

Oldenzaal) 

7. Some Ecological and High Benefit for cost barriers 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (upstream of Bridge 

Param St) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St) 

• Waurn Ponds Ck (downstream of Pioneer 

Road) 

• Thompson Ck (Ghazepore (stream 

gauge)) 

• Thompson Ck ( u/s of Anglesea Rd) 

• Painkalac Creek (downstream of Old 

Coach Rd) 

• Carisbrook Ck (upstream of GOR ) 

• Yahoo Ck (old stream gauge) * 

• Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream 

gauge)) 

• Scotts Creek (upstream of Murfitts Road) 

28 



Strategy for barriers of the Barwon River, Bellarine region to 

Thompson Creek 

Task 1: Restore fish passage to the lower Barwon River 

A. Pollocksford Weir (rock ramp refurbishment) (~$20K) 

B. Lower Barrage (Vertical-slot fishway) (~$150K) 

C. Baums Weir (Vertical-slot fishway) (~$150K) 

D. Buckleys Falls (Rock ramp refurbishment and/or Vertical-slot fishway) (~$200K) 

E. Reedy Lake Regulator (Vertical-slot fishway) (~$150K) 

(Estimated Total $670K) 

Task 2: Restore fish passage to the lower Waurn Ponds Creek 

F. Remove barriers upstream of Param Street and downstream from Pioneer Road 

(~$10K) 

G. Replace pedestrian causeways with single span bridges adjacent to Natika Court and 

Param Street (~$60 K). 


Task 2: Restore fish passage to the lower Thompson Creek 

H. Lower Barrage At Minya (Vertical-slot fishway) (~$150K) 

I. Horseshoe Bend (Rock ramp and box culvert refurbishment) (~$20K) 


Higher Priority tasks for further down the track 

J. Ghazepore Road (Rock ramp fishways at stream gauging station and large erosion 

control structure) (~$50K) 

K. Armstrong Creek restoration beginning with Lake Road and Airport Road (~$110K) 

L. Replace Jarvis Oval access causeway on Waurn Ponds Creek with single span 

bridge (~$70K) 

M. Rock ramp refurbishment of rock chute on Waurn Ponds Creek (~$10) 



Strategy for barriers of the Eastern Otways streams to Aire River 

Task 1: Restore fish passage to the lower St Georges River 

A. Upstream of Great Ocean Road (Single span bridge (~$30K) 

B. Downstream of Allenvale Road (Remove weir) (~$10K) 


Other Allen Reservoir (Further studies, habitat, fish, engineering) 

Task 2: Restore fish passage to the Barham River catchment 

C. East Barham stream gauging weir (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$15K) 

D. East Barham at ‘Oldenzaal’ (Single spanning bridge) (~$70K) 

E. East Barham at ‘Farrington’ (Single spanning bridge) (~$70K) 

F. Anderson Creek at Montrose Avenue (Single spanning bridge) (~$70K) 


Other West Barham River (water storage weir and downstream pipeline crossings) (Further 

studies, habitat, fish, engineering) 

Task 3: Restore fish passage at various low cost and ecologically important streams 

G. Grassy Ck (x 3) (Single spanning bridges or box culverts) (~$30K) 

H. Cumberland River (Fishway refurbishment - baffles) (~$5K) 

I. Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) (New Rock Ramp) (~$40K) 

J. Painkalac Creek (downstream of Old Coach Rd) Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 

K. Carisbrook Ck (upstream of GOR ) (Removal) (~$5k) 


Task 4: Restore fish passage at Anglesea River 

L. Coalmine Road (Single Spanning bridge) (~$70K) 

M. Hall Road causeway (Single Spanning bridge) (~$70K) 

N. Old Stream gauge inside Mine (Box culverts) (~$70K) 


Task 5: Restore fish passage in Skenes, and Moggs Creeks 

O. Skenes Creek causeways (x2) (Single Spanning bridges) (~$80K) 

P. Moggs Creek at Boyd Avenue (Rock ramp fishway and retrofit culverts) (~$30K) 



Q. Alcoa Boundary Track (Rock ramp fishway and retrofit culverts) (~$30K) 

R. Coalmine Creek at Moggs Road (Rock ramp fishway and retrofit culverts) (~$30K) 

30 



Strategy for barriers of the Western Otways streams to Curdies 

River 

Task 1: Restore fish passage to the Gellibrand River 

A. Lyness Road (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$15K) 

B. Clancys Access (Remove and erosion control) (~$10K) 

C. Downstream of Stevensons (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 


Task 2: Restore fish passage to tributaries of the Gellibrand River 

D. Kennedys Creek (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$15K) 

E. Chapple Creek (New Rock ramp) (~$30K) 

F. Lardners Creek (New Rock ramp) (~$30K) 

G. Yahoo Creek (Remove and erosion control) (~$5K) 


Task 3: Restore fish passage to the Curdies River and Scotts Creek 

H. Curdies River near Limestone Creek (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 

I. Scotts Creek at Digneys Bridge (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 

J. Scotts Creek upstream of Murfitts Road (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 



K. Boggy Ck (Carlisle Rd) Creek (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) 

L. Sherbrook River (Loch Road) (new box culvert fishway) (~$40K) 



Further considerations and research 

Lower priority barriers 

Yarram Creek (Bellarine) and Spring Creek (Curdies River catchment) have a high number 

of large dams constructed within the stream valley, making restoration of fish passage in the 

system a very extensive and expensive exercise. As a result, re-establishing fish passage 

within these systems was not considered to be a high priority despite the potential habitat 

available within these systems. 

In contrast, restoring fish passage in Armstrong Creek may be relatively simple and will open 

up a significant length of stream habitat. Barriers in this system are mainly associated with 

road crossings which could provide potential for cost sharing. 

Other large structures that are located in the upper reaches of catchments or within smaller 

streams that were also considered not worthy of fish passage restoration include: the larger 

dams and road culverts on Jan Juc Creek; large road culvert and stormwater system on 

Fairhaven Creek (at the Great Ocean Road); large road culverts and stormwater system on 

Andersons Creek (tributary of Grassy Creek); the large dam on upper Anderson Creek 

(Barham River catchment); the larger series of weirs on First Ck, Arkins West and Arkins 

East weirs (Gellibrand River catchment);, the large weir on Reedy Creek (upstream of the 

Great Ocean Road) and large dams on A'Becketts Creek and Cobden Creek (upper Curdies 

River catchment). 

A number of smaller fish barriers in the upper Gellibrand River system including Porcupine 

Creek, Ten Mile Creek and Cole Creek require relatively little restoration expense. Fish 

passage could be restored at these barriers after all major barriers further downstream in the 

catchment have been improved. 

Additional research and monitoring 

Recent habitat and fish survey information is lacking available for some of the larger river 

systems in the Otways including the Aire, Gellibrand and Curdies River systems. In 

particular, information is required for the lower reaches of these systems to determine the 

diversity and extent of native migratory fish species. 

There are currently no monitoring obligations or legislation for the optimal operation and 

performance of fishways in Victoria. Considering that specific hydraulic and biological 

requirements are required for an efficiently operating fishway, monitoring the physical 

attributes of these structures is regarded as vital, as is the monitoring of fish movement past 

the structure. It is strongly recommended that the CCMA undertake regular fishway efficiency 

monitoring and develop clear operational and maintenance schedules, particularly at some of 

the more significant fishways such as at the lower Barwon River, Thompson Creek and 

Gellibrand River. 

Debris and sediment accumulation and minor rock movement were also identified at a 

number of locations including low level gauging weirs and road culverts. These potential 

barriers could be easily rectified by seasonal visits from a maintenance crew. 

Additional research and development of cost effective fish passage solutions should also be 

further explored and include design, construction and assessment of low and medium flow 

channels within rock ramp fishways, assessment of native fish populations and threatened 

species before and after fish passage establishment; and performance of key fish passage 

restoration works to help inform future fishway works in the CCMA. 

Fishway construction 

The native migratory fish communities present in the Corangamite catchment are dominated 

by small bodied fishes (< 400 mm long). However, not all fish collected in one catchment 

have been recorded in adjacent or nearby rivers, hence there are gaps in the expected 

native freshwater fish community. The native fish recorded at each of the seven sites are 

addressed in detail below. 

32 



The maximum size of the fish is important in determining the minimum fishway depth and 

slot-width and these factors then determine fishway hydraulics and strongly influence total 

cost. The largest two species, short-finned eels and short-headed lampreys, are 

characterised by long sinuous bodies, adapted for occasional swimming in shallow or narrow 

areas. These species are not as readily disadvantaged as other teleosts by passage through 

shallow rock-ramp fishways or narrow vertical-slots. Other migratory species such as 

Australian grayling and the galaxias species are also likely to migrate in shallower fishways. 

In addition, many small-bodied fishes migrate during spring on low and rising flows, hence 

the fishway does not necessarily need to provide passage all year round, but operation 

during small and medium flow events is ecologically important. Therefore, by limiting the 

upper operating range (large floods) of the fishway, the design process is simplified and 

potential cost savings can be achieved. Nevertheless, these decisions need to be made on 

a case-by-case basis considering the local fish ecology and stream hydrology. 

Conversely, even low barriers, such as gauging weirs and road crossings, can remain 

impassable to fish during periods of low flow. Therefore, designing fishways to function for 

low flows is important for fish movement to avoid drought areas, disperse upstream and 

escape predators. Low flow channels should be incorporated in the Barwon and Otways 

streams where possible. These could be constructed as rock channels (Appendix G, Figure 

C) or precast channels incorporating with internal roughness to break up the laminar flow and 

reduce velocity. 

7. CONCLUSION 

This report provides a summary of a comprehensive field assessment of fish passage 

barriers in streams within the Corangamite Catchment. All potential fish passage barriers 

were prioritised according to their respective ecological impact and potential ecological 

benefits for restoration. 

Also included in the assessment were indicative costs for each the high ecological priority 

fishway and a potential rehabilitation options. This process enabled the development of a fish 

passage restoration plan for the CMA area. 

The Corangamite CMA has been proactive and has already restored fish passage at some of 

the priority fishways identified in this report. Further fish passage restoration at priority 

locations combined with a strategic fish monitoring program and regular fishway inspection 

and maintenance programs will ensure the recovery and maintenance of native fish 

biodiversity in the region. 



8. REFERENCES 

Barbee, N., Swearer, S., Downes, B. (2006) A survey of small fish species in coastal 

Victorian catchments. Report to the NHT and the coastal Victorian CMAs. 

Department of Zoology and School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental 

Studies, University of Melbourne. 

Close, P., Webb, E. and Koster, W. (2002) Rehabilitation of Waurn Ponds Creek, Victoria, for 

Yarra Pygmy Perch (Nannoperca obscura) and Other Native Freshwater Fishes. 

Report for the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. Department of 

Natural Resources and Environment, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental 

Research. 

Drew, M. M. (2008) Guide to the Management of Native Fish: Victorian Coastal Rivers, 

Estuaries and Wetlands. Department of Sustainability and Environment and the 

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. 

DSE (2007) Advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria in 2007. Department of 

Sustainability and Environment, Victoria. 

DSE (2007a). Victorian Aquatic Fauna Database. Fish data for the Barwon and Moorabool 

catchments. Freshwater Ecology, Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Sustainability 

and Environment. 

Fairfull, S. and Witheridge, G. (2003) Why do Fish Need to Cross the Road? Fish Passage 

Requirements for Waterway Crossings. NSW DPI, Cronulla, 16 pp. 

Koehn JD, O’Connor WG. (1990) Biological information for management of native freshwater 

fish in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria. 

Koehn, J.D. and O’Connor, W.G. (1990) Biological information for management of native 

freshwater fish in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment, Victoria. 

Koehn, J. D. & O’Connor, W. G. (1990) Distribution of freshwater fish in the Otway region, 

south-western Victoria. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 102: 29-39. 

Leader W, Smit K. (1997) An integrated and holistic approach to solutions for fish passage 

in NSW. In: Proceedings of the Second National Fishway Workshop. Pp. 103-124. 

Lewis, B., O’Brien, T.A., and Perera, S. (1999) Providing for Fish Passage at Small Instream 

Structures in Victoria. In: Rutherford, I and Bartley, R. (Eds) Proceedings of the 2nd 

Australian Stream Management Conference, Vol. 2. Adelaide, pp 389-393. 

Mallen-Cooper M, Stuart I. (2007) Optimising Denil fishways for passage of small and large 

fishes. Fisheries Management and Ecology 14, 61-71. 

McDowall RM. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Reed Books. 

McGill DA. (2001) Fairmount Weir rock-ramp fishway assessment. In: Proceedings of the 

Third Australian Fishway Workshop. Pp. 76-81. 

McGuckin, J., And Bennett, P. (1999) An inventory of fishways and potential barriers to fish 

movement and migration in Victoria. Waterways Unit, Department of Natural 

Resources and Environment. June 1999. ISBN. 0 7311 444023. 

MDBC (2004) Native Fish Strategy 2003-2013. Murray-Darling Basin Commission 

publication number 25/04.O’Brien TA, Mallen-Cooper M, Pitman, K. 2006. Instream 

barriers of the Loddon and Campaspe Catchments: Assessment and prioritisation for 

fish passage. Report to the North Central Catchment Management Authority. 

O’Brien TA. (1999) Victorian fishway implementation committee prioritisation of barriers. 

O’Brien, T.A., Perera, S., and Lewis, B. (1999). Providing for Fish Passage at Small Instream 

Structures. In: Proceedings of Water 99, Joint Congress, Vol. 1. Brisbane. Pp. 460- 

465. 

34 



O’Brien TA. (1997) Rock fishways in Victoria. In: Proceedings of the Second National 

Fishway Workshop. Pp. 193-202. 

O’Brien, T.A., Mallen-Cooper, M. and Pitman, K.S. (2006) Instream barriers of the Loddon 

and Campaspe catchments: Assessment and prioritisation for fish passage. Report to 

North Central Catchment Management Authority. Arthur Rylah Institute for 

Environmental Research, Technical Report Series No. 161. Department of 

Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne; Fishway Consulting Services, St. Ives. 

Raadik, T. and Koster, K. (2000) Pre- and post-fishway construction assessments - Barwon 

and Moorabool Rivers, and Otway streams. Report for the Corangamite Catchment 

Management Authority. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Arthur 

Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. 

Ryan, T. and McGuckin, J. (2008a) Selected fish surveys in the Barwon and Moorabool River 

catchments following the prolonged low flow period of 2006-2007. A report prepared 

by environous for the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. 

Ryan, T. and McGuckin, J. (2008b) Status of fish communities of streams in the Otways 

following the low flow period in 2006/2007. Report prepared for Corangamite 

Catchment Management Authority 

Saddlier, S.R. and O’Connor, J.P. (2005) Instream barriers of the Broken, Boosey, Back and 

Major Creeks and Broken River system: A prioritization for fish migration. A 

consultants report prepared for the Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management 

Authority. 57pp 

Saddlier, S.R (2008) FAST (Fish Assessment Support Tool) – an online decision support tool 

for river managers. In: Drew, M.M. (2008) A Guide to the Management of Native Fish: 

Victorian Coastal Rivers, Estuaries and Wetlands. Department of Sustainability and 

Environment and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Victoria 

SKM (2001) Guidelines for Assessment of Applications for Permits and Licences for Works 

on Waterways. Produced for the Victorian Waterway Managers Group. 79pp 

SKM (2005a) Assessment of barriers to fish passage in the Mallee. Client report to Mallee 

Catchment Management Authority. 

SKM (2005b) Development and Application of a Flow Stressed Ranking Procedure. Client 

Report (Final B) to the Department of Sustainability and Environment. 

Stuart IG, Berghuis AP. (2002) Upstream passage of fish through a vertical-slot fishway in an 

Australian sub-tropical river. Fisheries Management and Ecology 9, 111-122. 

Thorncraft GA, Harris JH. (1997) Rock-ramp and lock fishways as tools for solving fish 

passage problems in New South Wales, Australia. In: Proceedings of the Second 

National Fishway Workshop. Pp. 203-226. 

White, L. and Ladson, A. (1999). An Index of Stream Condition – reference manual. 

Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne. 

Witheridge, G. (2002) Fish Passage requirements for Waterway Crossings - Engineering 

Guidelines. Catchment and Creeks Pty Ltd, Brisbane. 

Zampatti, B. (2001) The Distribution of Yarra pygmy perch in the Thompsons Creek 

catchment and preliminary assessment of a rockramp fishway. Report for the 

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. Department of Natural Resources 

and Environment, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. 



9. ACKOWLEDGMENTS 

We wish to thank the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority for funding this project. 

We would also like to specifically thank Mr. Denis Lovric from Corangamite Catchment 

Management Authority for his support and assistance throughout the Project. 

We would also like to thank the staff from various Agencies that were contacted and provided 

advice regarding specific barrier information. These people included: 

• Jarod Lyon (Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research) for providing previous 

fish barrier assessment details from the redundant weir review; 

• John Anson and Paul Cleaver (Thiess Services) for providing location details for 

previous and currently operating stream gauging weirs; 

• Tim Harold and Simon Collins (Wannon Water) for providing access and details of 

Arkins Creek catchment; 

• Russell Smith (Barwon Water, Apollo Bay) for providing access details and a 

photograph of the upper storage weir on the Barham River West branch; 

• Tim Gazzard of Park Victoria Anglesea for providing access to the Anglesea River 

with the Alcoa Mine. 

Dr. David Sharley (Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research) produced the maps for 

this report. His assistance is greatly appreciated. 

Mr. David Lucas of Feral Industries made a significant contribution to the project through 

assistance with field site inspections, data entry and extensive comments on this report. 

36 



Appendix A: Field and Desktop Assessment Forms 

Waterway Barriers: Field Assessment 

ASSESSOR: ____________________________ DATE: / / 

CROSSING ID: _________________________ 

GPS (or Grid reference and map name and number): Lat__________________ Long_________________ 

IMAGE FILE NUMBERS: __________________ 

1. LOCATION INFORMATION 

Surrounding Land Uses (please select one): 

Grazing Cropping Urban Rural Industrial State Forest National Park 

2. WATERWAY NAME _________________________________________ 

3. ROAD NAME ______________________________________________ 

3. STRUCTURE DETAILS 

3b Obsolete: Yes No 

3c Ancillary purposes (select one): Bed-control Erosion Control Flood Mitigation Irrigation Regulation 

Stock Watering Water Supply 

3d Structure Type (please circle): 

• Weir/ regulator –in-stream structure designed to back water upstream. 

• Box Culvert - pipe or box shaped cell to convey water underneath roadway. 

• Pipe Culvert - cylindrical-celled culvert. 

• Causeway - low-level crossing designed to convey water over road; may have low-flow pipe. 

• Ford – low level crossing formed directly on the channel bed in a shallow section of a watercourse. 

• Bridge - single or multiple span or arched structure raised above channel bed. 

3e. Structure Description: 

Height (from downstream bed-level to structure crest) ______m Width (bank to bank) ______m 

Culvert: No. of cells or pipes _________ Cell Width ________m 

Breadth (upstream to downstream) ____________m 

Construction material (select one): Concrete Timber Steel Rock Gravel Sand/Fines 

4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS 

Fish Passage 

4a Does the structure potentially block fish passage: Yes No 

If yes, what type of blockage (select one or more): 

Head loss: est. (mm) _______ Slope: est. grade: ________ 

Velocity Debris Low flow depth though structure Light 

Blockage 

Other ____________________________________________________________ 

4b Is there flow over/through the structure: Through Over Both 

4c Does water pool upstream of the structure: Yes No 

• If yes, what is the average depth of pool ___________m and length of the pool _________m 

4d Bank height _____m; channel width _____m; low-flow channel width _____m & depth ____m 

4e Habitat features (substrate type, pools, riffles, gravel bed, boulders, macrophytes, snags, undercuts, riparian overhangs etc) 

4f Condition of aquatic habitat: good fair poor 

4g Condition of riparian zone: good fair poor 

5. COMMENTS (channelised, erosion, siltation, reduced water quality, riparian & aquatic pests etc) 

6. RECOMMENDATIONS (select one): Remove Fishway Box Culvert with Low Flow Channel 

Bridge Maintenance 



Appendix B: Barwon River Catchment Fish Barriers 

a 

b 

c 

d 

e 

f 

Barwon River Fish Barriers 

Plates: a – Barwon River @ the Lower Barrage; b - Barwon River @ the Lower Barrage( fishway); c – 

Barwon River @ Reedy Lake regulator gate; d – Barwon River @ Buckleys Falls (overview); e - 

Barwon River @ Buckleys Falls (fishway on northern bank); f - Barwon River @ Baums Weir. 

38 



h 

g 

j 

i 

k 

l 

Barwon River, Armstrong Creek and Waurn Ponds Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: g – Barwon River @ Pollocksford Weir; h - Armstrong Creek @ Lake Road; i – Armstrong 

Creek @ Airport Road; j – Armstrong Creek Sth Branch@ Ghazepore Road; k - Armstrong Creek Nth 

Branch@ Ghazepore Road; l - Waurn Ponds Creek, causeway adjacent to Param Street. 



m 

n 

o 

p 

q 

r 

Waurn Ponds Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: m – Waurn Ponds Creek upstream of causeway adjacent to Param Street.; n - Waurn Ponds 

Creek causeway adjacent to Natika Court; o – Waurn Ponds Creek downstream of footbridge and 

Rossack Drive; p – Waurn Ponds Creek @ Jarvis Road; q - Waurn Ponds Creek at rock chute; r - 

Waurn Ponds Creek @ private causeway 1. 

40 



t 

s 

v 

u 

x 

w 

Waurn Ponds Creek and Yarram Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: s – Waurn Ponds Creek @ private causeway2; t - Yarram Creek @ Davies lower Weir; u – 

Yarram Creek @ Masons lower Weir; v – Yarram Creek @ Davies middle Weir; w - Yarram Creek @ 

Davies upper Weir; x - Yarram Creek @ Railway Bridge downstream of Banks Road. 



y 

z 

A 

B 

D 

C 

Yarram Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: y – Yarram Creek @ Banks Road; z - Yarram Creek @ private dam upstream Banks Road; A 

– Yarram Creek Nth tributary(first dam); B – Yarram Creek Nth tributary(second dam); C - Yarram 

Creek @ Knights Road; D - Yarram Creek @ Swan Bay Road. 

42 



E 

F 

G 

H 

I 

J 

Thompsons Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: E – Thompson Creek Weir and fishway at Minya Farm; F - Thompson Creek fishway at 

Horseshoe Bend Road; G – Thompson Creek gauging station downstream of Ghazepore Road; H – 

Thompson Creek @ Ghazepore Road; I – Thompson Creek downstream of Anglesea Road; J - – 

Thompson Creek @ Pettavel Road. 



Appendix C: East Otway Streams Fish Barriers 

b 

a 

c 

d 

e 

f 

Jan Juc Creek and Anglesea River Fish Barriers 

Plates: a – Jan Juc Creek @ Golf Course Road; b - Jan Juc Creek Dam on Sunset Strip; c – Jan Juc 

Creek @ Bells Beach Road; d – Anglesea River @ Coalmine Road; e – Anglesea River@ upstream 

Hall Road in Alcoa mine; f – Anglesea River@ Old Gauge site in Alcoa mine. 

44 



g 

h 

i 

j 

k 

l 

Anglesea River, Painkalac, Distillery, Moggs and Coalmine Creeks Fish 

Barriers 

Plates: g – Anglesea River@ Alcoa Boundary Track; h - Painkalac Creek rock chute downstream of 

Old Coach Road; i – Distillery Creek @ Old Coach Road; j – Distillery Creek @ Bambrae Road ; k - 

Moggs Creek @ Boyd Avenue; l - Coalmine Creek @ Moggs Creek Road. 



m 

n 

o 

p 

q 

r 

Fairhaven, Grassy and Andersons Creeks Fish Barriers 

Plates: m – Fairhaven Creek @ Great Ocean Road; n - Grassy Creek # 1; o – Grassy Creek #2; p – 

Grassy Creek #4; q - Andersons Creek @ Great Ocean Road; r - Rock ledges in Andersons Creek 

downstream of Great Ocean Road. 

46 



s 

t 

u 

v 

w 

x 

Andersons and Reedy, Creeks and Erskine and St Georges River Fish Barriers 

Plates: s – Andersons Creek Nth Branch @ Great Ocean Road; t - Andersons Creek upstream Great 

Ocean Road; u – Reedy Creek upstream Great Ocean Road; v – Erskine River Weir downstream of 

Erskine Falls; w - St Georges Creek pedestrian crossing upstream Great Ocean Road; x - St Georges 

Creek gauging weir downstream of Allenvale Road. 



y 

z 

B 

A 

C 

D 

St Georges River, Cherry Tree Creek, Cumberland River, Carisbrook and 

Skenes Creeks Fish Barriers 

Plates: y – St Georges River @ Allen Reservoir spillway; z - St Georges River natural river course 

below Allen Reservoir; A – Cheery Tree Creek @ Allenvale Road; B – Cumberland River fishway 

(internal view); C – Carisbrook Creek upstream Great Ocean Road; D - Skenes Creek private crossing 

upstream Great Ocean Road. 

48 



E 

F 

H 

G 

I 

J 

Skenes Creek, Beauty Gully, Anderson Creek and Barham River East Branch 

Fish Barriers 

Plates: E – Skenes Creek private crossing (“Constantia”); F - Beauty Gully @ Conns Lane; G – 

Anderson Creek @ Montrose Drive; H – Anderson Creek Weir; I - Barham River East Branch @ 

gauging weir; J - Barham River East Branch @ “Oldnezdaal” crossing. 



K 

L 

M 

N 

O 

P 

Barham River East and West Branch and Elliot River Fish Barriers 

Plates: K – Barham River East Branch @ “Farrington” pontoon crossing; L - Barham River West 

Branch one of numerous supply pipe crossings; M – Barham River West Branch another of numerous 

supply pipe crossings; N – Barham River West Branch Water Supply Weir; O - Elliot River @ Elliot 

River Road; P – Aire River gauging station @ Aire Valley Road. 

50 



Appendix D: West Otway Streams Fish Barriers 

a 

b 

d 

c 

f 

e 

Aire River, Carmichael Creek, Sherbrook River, Chapple and Kennedys Creeks 

and Gellibrand River Fish Barriers 

Plates: a - Carmichael Creek @ Plantation Road; b – Sherbrook River @ Loch Road; c – Chapple 

Creek weir @ Sand Pits Road; d – Kennedys Creek gauging weir @ Macintyres Road; e – Chapple 

Creek South Branch @ Morris Track; f - Gellibrand River gauging weir and fishway @ Lyness Road. 



g 

h 

i 

j 

k 

l 

Chapple Creek South Branch, Gellibrand River, Boggy Creek, Carlisle River 

and Cole and First Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates:; g – Gellibrand River gauging weir near Clancy Access; h - Gellibrand River gauging weir 

downstream of Stevensons Falls; i– Boggy Creek@ Carlisle Road; j - Carlisle River gauging weir at 

Gellibrand River Road; k – Cole Creek at Tuckers Orchard Road; l - First Creek weir within Wannon 

Water supply catchment 

52 



n 

m 

o 

p 

q 

r 

First Creeks and Arkins Creek West and East Branches and Lardners and 

Yahoo Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates:; m – Arkins Creek West Branch road crossing within Wannon Water supply catchment; n – 

Arkins Creek West Branch weir within Wannon Water supply; o - Arkins Creek East Branch first weir 

within Wannon Water supply catchment; p - Arkins Creek East Branch second weir within Wannon 

Water supply catchment; q – Lardners Creek gauging weir @ Gellibrand East Road; r - Yahoo Creek 

abandoned gauging weir. 



s 

t 

u 

v 

w 

x 

Lardners, Yahoo, Serpentine and Ten Mile and Porcupine Creeks Fish Barriers 

Plates:; s – Serpentine Creek @ McDonalds Road; t – Ten Mile Creek @ Cashins Road; u - Ten Mile 

Creek gauging weir @ Cashins Road; v - Ten Mile Creek private access off Cashins Road; w – 

Porcupine Creek gauging weir @ McDonalds Road; x - Porcupine Creek @ McDonalds Road; 

54 



y 

z 

B 

A 

D 

C 

Squirrel and Spring Creeks Fish Barriers 

Plates: y – Squirrel @ Brumbys Road; z – Spring Creek dam at Delaneys; A – Spring Creek spillway 

at Delaneys; B- Spring Creek dam at Crofts; C – Spring Creek outlet pipe at Walkers dam #2; D – 

Spring Creek outlet pipe @ Walkers dam #1. 



E 

F 

G 

H 

I 

J 

Spring, Scotts, A’Becketts, Cooriemungle and Cobden Creeks Fish Barriers 

Plates: E - Spring Creek causeway downstream of Curdievale Road; F – Curdies River at Trestle 

Bridge off Limeworks Road; G – Scotts Creek gauging weir @ Digneys Bridge; H – Scotts Creek 

gauging weir downstream of Murfitts Bridge Road; I – A’Becketts Creek dam and spillway @ Cowens 

Lane; J – Cooriemungle Creek downstream of Williams Road. 

56 



K 

L 

M 

Cobden Creek Fish Barriers 

Plates: K – Cobden Creek culverts and steep below Cobden town dam; L – Cobden Creek inlet pit in 

dam upstream Camperdown - Cobden Road; M – Cobden Creek regulation weir adjacent to Cobden 

Sewerage Treatment Facility (off Lavers Hill Road). 



58 

Appendix E: Summary details and assessments of all fish barriers 

Site Details 

Fish species Stream size and quality 

Barrier details 

Comments 

Waterway Name 

Site Name 

Zone 

Easting 

Northing 

Priority 

Australian grayling 

Dwarf galaxias 

Australian mudfish 

Estuarine species 

Stream order 

Distance from mouth 

km opened 

% stream obstructed 

Other barriers d/s 

Instream condition 

Riparian condition 

RHS 

ISC 

Drown out potential 

Water availability 

Height 

Width 

Length 

Slope 

Barwon River Lower Barrage 55 271340 57 67753 major 1 1 1 1 1 18 165 90 0 good poor poor 2 low supplimented 0.85 2.8 27 0.85 Fishway entrance , Vertical slot best solution 

Barwon River Reedy Lake regulator 55 271277 57 67917 major 1 1 1 1 1 18.5 4 18 1 good poor poor 2 low supplimented 1 3 3 0.5 

5 shallow slots in weir wall. Velocity and height issue. Needs rocks 

added u/s to slow flow and rocks added d/s to reduce height difference. 

Barwon River Buckleys Falls Fishway and weir 55 264039 57 74028 major 1 1 0 0 1 23 150 87 2 good good poor 3 low supplimented 0.9 4 1.5 – 2.3 0.5 

Several natural rock barriers to 1.2m H exist immediately d/s as part of 

Buckleys Falls 

Barwon River Baum Weir Fishway (stream gauge) 55 263423 57 74292 minor 1 1 0 0 1 24 149 86 4 good good poor 3 low supplimented 1.5 2.5 - 4 8 1.2 Choked with weeds due to lack of maintenance. More rock work required 

washed out immediately below, 0.8 m hole, better rock structure and low 

Barwon River 400 m u/s Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge) 55 253463 57 74505 minor 1 1 0 0 1 49 124 72 5 good fair poor 3 low supplimented 1.385 20 5.5 0.85 

flow v slot 

Armstrong Ck Cnr Lake Rd 55 269998 57 64482 major 0 0 0 0 2 17.7 11 38 1 poor good low intermittent 1.4 2 7 Box culvert and required 

Armstrong Ck Airport Rd 55 265236 57 65800 minor 0 0 0 0 2 24 4.7 16 4 poor good moderate intermittent 1.5 6 12 d/s blocked by rubbish (fill), stream used as a dump (180) 

Armstrong Ck Sth branch Ghazepore Rd 55 263610 57 65912 minor 0 0 0 0 3 26 2.7 9 5 poor poor low intermittent 1 5 13 Light and velocity issue 

Armstrong Ck, Nth branch Ghazepore Rd 55 263695 57 66628 major 0 0 0 0 3 26 2.5 9 6 poor fair u/s, poor d/s low intermittent 1.8 2.5 13 Light issue, dammed imm. u/s (183) for artificial wetland (185) 

Waurn Ponds Ck Param St, Grovedale u/s bridge 55 266595 57 69542 minor 0 0 0 0 2 3.8 20.9 85 0 poor poor poor 8 high intermittent 0.5 3 2 0.4 excavation beach rock 

Waurn Ponds Ck Param St, Grovedale 55 266568 57 69537 major 0 0 0 0 2 3.9 20.8 84 1 poor poor poor 8 low intermittent 1.7 4 5.5 0 box culverts 

Waurn Ponds Ck Natika Crt 55 265824 57 69118 major 0 0 0 0 2 4.9 19.8 80 2 poor poor poor 8 moderate intermittent 1 4.5 5 0 box culverts 

Waurn Ponds Ck 20 m d/s from footbridge 55 265621 57 68613 major 0 0 0 0 2 5.6 19.1 77 3 poor poor poor 8 low intermittent 1.2 5 5 0 remove - Good demonstration site 

Waurn Ponds Ck Jarvis Rd causeway 55 263256 57 68049 major 0 0 0 0 2 9.3 15.4 62 5 poor poor poor 8 low intermittent 1.45 12 11 no water remove and replace with bridge 

Waurn Ponds Ck rock shute d/s private causeway 55 262427 57 67999 minor 0 0 0 0 2 10.4 14.3 58 6 poor poor poor 8 moderate intermittent 1.5 20 no water reduce height with rock removal - Good demonstration site 

Waurn Ponds Ck Private ford 1 55 261556 57 67686 minor 0 0 0 0 2 11.6 13.1 53 7 poor poor poor 8 moderate intermittent 0.5 5 56 no water remove and replace with box culverts 

Waurn Ponds Ck Private ford 2 55 260978 57 68346 minor 0 0 0 0 2 12.7 12 49 8 poor poor poor 8 moderate intermittent 1.25 8 6 no water remove and replace with box culverts 

Yarram Ck Lower weir (Davies) 55 289441 57 64107 major 0 0 0 0 1 4 8.9 69 0 moderate poor low intermittent 3.7 150 15 2.2 Dam wall removal and box culverts 

Yarram Ck Lower weir (Mason) 55 289180 57 64635 major 0 0 0 0 1 5 7.9 61 1 moderate poor low intermittent 5 80 4 4 Dam wall removal and box culverts 

Yarram Ck Middle weir (Mason) 55 288978 57 64817 major 0 0 0 0 1 5.5 7.4 57 2 good poor low intermittent 2 20 6 Nil Dam wall removal and box culverts 

Yarram Ck Upper weir (Mason) 55 288871 57 64852 major 0 0 0 0 1 5.8 7.1 55 3 good poor low intermittent 6 65 6 2.4 Dam wall removal and box culverts 

Yarram Ck Rail bridge d/s Banks Rd 55 288324 57 65611 major 0 0 0 0 1 7.1 5.8 45 4 good moderate low intermittent 4 3 18 no water Bypass channel 

Light issue, grills needed Siltation needs clearing Needs 3 larger box 

Yarram Ck Banks Rd 55 288242 57 65634 major 0 0 0 0 1 8.1 4.8 37 6 moderate poor low intermittent 2 3 15 

culverts Some re – veg occuring 


Yarram Ck u/s Banks Rd 55 287951 57 65632 major 0 0 0 0 1 7.4 5.5 43 5 poor poor low intermittent 12 300 50 10 Perched vertical outlet 2.0 w, 4.3m vert. Dated 1999. Total barrier. 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 1 Banks Rd 55 288400 57 65862 major 0 0 0 0 2 9 3.9 30 5 moderate poor low intermittent 5 10 20 4 Major dam with obselete outlet pipe and tap evident. 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 2 Banks Rd 55 288536 57 66031 major 0 0 0 0 2 9.3 3.6 28 6 poor moderate low intermittent 2.8 7 30 

Stream is blocked. Erosion d/s. Remove dam, install fishway d/s, control 

erosion. Obselete outlet pipe and tap evident. 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 3 Knights Lane 55 289128 57 66653 major 0 0 0 0 2 9.4 3.5 27 8 moderate good low intermittent 5 30 12 

Major height barrier. Remove, install box culvert with low flow channel, 

and bridge. Control erosion d/s. 

Yarram Ck (NE trib) 4 Swan Bay Rd 55 289325 57 67042 major 0 0 0 0 2 9.9 3 23 9 moderate moderate low intermittent 1.5 12 15 

Height barrier. Blockage d/s requires maintenance. Requires erosion 

blocks d/s.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 59 

Site Details Fish species Stream size and quality Barrier details 

Comments 

Waterway Name 

Site Name 

Zone 

Easting 

Northing 

Priority 





Stream order 


km opened 





RHS 

ISC 



Height 

Width 

Length 

Slope 

Ineffective fishway on N side Re-do with rock ramp or preferably a vertical 

Thompsons Ck Minya Farm 55 271304 57 59887 major 1 0 0 1 1 6 55 90 0 moderate poor marginal 36 low intermittent 1.95 26 3.7 0.95 

slot fishway 

Fishway in place - debris removal and new baffles and more rock would 

Thompsons Ck Horseshoe Bend Rd 55 268183 57 60790 minor 1 0 0 0 1 13 48 79 1 good moderate marginal 36 low intermittent 1.6 20 8 

be beneficial 

Thompsons Ck Ghazepore Rd 55 263022 57 60655 minor 0 0 0 0 1 20 41 67 3 good fair poor 36 low intermittent 0.3 9 1.5 0.3 culverts and slope issue 

Stn Number: 235255A, needs rock ramp downstream and would benefit 

Thompsons Ck Ghazepore (stream gauge) 55 263238 57 60717 minor 0 0 0 0 1 20 42 68 3 good fair poor 36 high intermittent 0.3 9 1.5 0.3 

from riparian vegetation and stock exclusion fencing 

Thompsons Ck d/s of Anglesea Rd 55 261147 57 60741 major 0 0 0 0 1 23 28 55 2 moderate poor marginal 36 low intermittent 2.3 20 18 Earthern causeway d/s of bridge. Box culverts required 

Thompsons Ck Pettavel Rd 55 258369 57 61333 major 0 0 0 0 1 27 34 56 4 good good poor 36 low intermittent 2 15 10 Light issue – bridge? 

Jan Juc Ck Clubhouse Rd 55 264811 57 52451 minor 0 0 0 0 1 0.3 9.3 97 0 poor poor marginal 35 high intermittent 0.7 4 7 0 Box culverts or rock ramp required 

Jan Juc Ck Dam wall nth Sunset Strip 55 263032 57 51862 major 0 0 0 0 1 2.4 6.9 74 1 fair fair marginal 35 low intermittent 8 100 8 Small stream, dams u/s 

Jan Juc Ck Bells Beach Rd 55 262695 57 51850 major 0 0 0 0 1 2.7 6.4 70 2 fair fair marginal 35 low intermittent 5 40 No flow Plus numerous dams upstream 

Box culverts and extra light required. Barwon Water bore works in 

Anglesea River Coalmine Rd 55 254059 57 46442 major 0 0 0 1 1 2.6 18.3 88 N excellent excellent marginal 34 low intermittent 1.3 7.5 20 0.3 

progress, Galaxias schools observed d/s 

Anglesea River u/s Hall Rd in mine 55 253456 57 47227 minor 0 0 0 0 1 3.5 17.4 83 1 good good marginal 34 low intermittent 3.5 30 30 0.3 Box culverts and light grills 

Anglesea River Inside mine (old stream gauge) 55 253472 57 4757 5 major 0 0 0 0 1 3.7 17.2 82 2 excellent excellent marginal 34 high intermittent 1.7 4 5.5 0.3 Box culverts 

Anglesea River Alcoa Boundary Tk 55 253289 57 47839 major 0 0 0 0 1 3.9 17 81 3 excellent excellent marginal 34 moderate intermittent 1 6.5 6 No water Box culverts and desilting 

Similar in effect to natural scours d/s. Raised rock bands at u/s and d/s 

Painkalac Creek d/s Old Coach Rd 55 246132 57 40404 minor 1 0 0 0 1 11 9 45 0 Good Good good 41 high supplimented 2.3 20 45 - 50 

ends could be evened out. 

Distillery Creek Old Coach Rd 55 246575 57 40473 minor 0 0 0 0 2 4.2 8.9 68 1 Good Good good 41 moderate intermittent N/A N/A N/A N/A Box culverts and erosion control + maintenance 

Distillery Creek Bambrae Rd 55 246755 57 40940 minor 0 0 0 0 2 4.8 9 65 2 Good Good good 41 moderate intermittent 1.2 10 8 No water Erosion control + maintenance 

Moggs Ck Boyd Ave 55 243689 57 39055 minor 0 0 0 0 1 1.3 6.5 83 0 Excellent Excellent good 43 low intermittent 3.5 7 10 No water Erosion control, light issue, maintenance 

Coalmine Ck Off Moggs Ck Rd 55 242056 57 38418 major 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 67 0 Good Good low intermittent 2 7 10 No water Blockage, erosion, potential headloss 

Fairhaven Ck GOR 55 245772 57 38192 major 0 0 0 1 1 0.1 1.6 94 0 Good Good low intermittent 10+ 6 50 extensive Extensive underground pipeworks and pits 

Grassy Ck Inside Geoff property #1 55 240897 57 36462 minor 0 0 0 1 1 0.5 9.1 95 0 Good Good high intermittent 1.5 3.5 6.5 No water Larger cut out + maintenance 

Grassy Ck Inside Geoff property #2 55 240716 57 36416 minor 0 0 0 1 1 0.7 9.3 93 1 Good Good high intermittent 0.4 3.5 6.5 No water Larger cut out + maintenance 

Grassy Ck Inside Geoff property #4 55 240818 57 36325 minor 0 0 0 1 1 0.8 9 92 2 Good Good high intermittent 0.6 6 4 No water Larger cut out + maintenance (blocked by debris) 

Anderson’s Ck GOR 55 240208 57 36236 major 0 0 0 1 2 0.5 1.1 69 3 Good Excellent low intermittent 6 15.5 20 No water Massively altered ravine with infill from road cutting. Light issue. 

Anderson’s Ck Nth Branch GOR 55 240208 57 36236 major 0 0 0 1 2 0.5 1.1 69 3 Good Excellent low intermittent 6 15.5 20 No water Massively altered ravine with infill from road cutting. Light issue. 

Anderson’s Ck Old GOR, 20m u/s of other 55 240190 57 36185 major 0 0 0 1 2 0.6 1 63 4 Good Excellent low intermittent 5 10 20 No water Small culvert, slope and light issues 

Reedy Ck u/s GOR, 20m 54 761342 57 33219 major 0 0 0 1 1 0.2 4 95 0 Good Moderate low intermittent 4.2 6 10 4.2 Major barrier 

Stn Number: 235243A. Site decommissioned 14/07/1997. Remove or 

Erskine River 700m d/s Erskine Falls 54 752900 57 33465 major 1 0 0 0 1 10.6 0.7 6 0 Excellent Excellent good 33 low continuous 4 2 1 

install rocks on SW side 

Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams


60 


Comments 

Waterway Name 

Site Name 

Zone 

Easting 

Northing 

Priority 





Stream order 


km opened 





RHS 

ISC 



Height 

Width 

Length 

Slope 

St George River u/s GOR 54 758572 57 28605 major 1 0 0 1 1 1.1 13.7 93 0 Excellent Excellent excellent 45 low supplimented 1.2 6 2 0.2 Velocity, height, safety issues. Replace with spanning pedestrian bridge 

St George River 50m d/s Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge) 54 757825 57 29075 major 1 0 0 0 1 2.4 0.4 14 1 Excellent Excellent excellent 45 low supplimented 0.705 8 1.5 0 Similar natural rock barriers u/s & d/s (ph 263, 265) 

Excellent 

St George River Allen Reservoir 54 756683 57 30369 major 0 0 0 0 1 5.5 9.3 63 2 

Excellent d/s excellent 45 low supplimented 20 60 40 18 20m from base in original stream bed to crest 

d/s 

Cherry Tree Ck (St G R. trib) Allenvale Rd 54 757842 57 29707 major 0 0 0 0 2 5.5 4.4 44 2 Good Good excellent 45 low intermittent 9 10 23 Culvert, slope and light 

New fishway with light grills and log deflector Velocity issue with higher 

Cumberland River 30m u/s GOR 54 756950 57 26304 minor 1 0 0 1 1 0.5 1.1 69 0 Good Poor good 32 high continuous 0.6 20 12 

flows 

Carisbrook Ck u/s GOR 54 744534 57 13652 minor 0 0 0 1 1 0.1 0.2 67 0 Moderate Poor excellent 49 high intermittent 2.3 3 14 Even out rocks and concrete remains. 

Skenes Ck Farm u/s GOR 54 734981 57 11130 major 1 0 0 0 1 2 6.8 77 1 Poor Poor excellent 51 low continuous 1.6 9 8 0.8 PA causewayVery poor habitat. Re-veg required 

Skenes Ck ‘Constantia’ farm u/s GOR 54 735255 57 10869 major 1 0 0 0 1 1 7.8 89 0 Poor Poor excellent 51 low continuous 1.15 6 4 0.8 PA causeway culverts Very poor habitat. Re-veg required 

Beauty Gully Conns Lane 54 729938 57 05275 minor 0 0 0 0 2 3 4.5 60 0 fair poor moderate intermittent 1.8 4 8 2 x 900 mm culverts - replace with box culverts 

improvement (was 2.5- 3m high) but still barrier, 3 x 600 m pipes, rock 

Anderson Creek Montrose Ave 54 730801 57 07089 major 0 0 0 0 2 2 5 71 0 good fair low intermittent 1.7 6.5 15 1.5- 2 

needed ds 

Anderson Creek Andersons Ck Dam 54 730158 57 07972 major 0 0 0 0 2 3.5 3.5 50 1 good good low intermittent 15-17 m ~ 40m ~ 5m 15-17 m very large reservoir at top of system. Landowner prposed to purchase 

from Barwon Water 

East Barham River Barham River Road (stream gauge) 54 728100 57 07114 major 1 0 0 0 1 6.6 8.6 57 0 good good marginal 30 moderate continuous 0.25 11 3 0.2 Anchor rock and larger low flow channel, 13 additional sites up to dam 

East Barham River Barham River Road - Oldenzaal 54 728337 57 09547 major 1 0 0 0 1 10.4 4.8 32 2 good good marginal 30 low continuous 1.59 24 8 0.37 9 X 600 mm culverts, slope 1 / 10m, requires bridge or box culverts 

East Barham River Farrington 54 729395 57 10859 minor 1 0 0 0 1 14.2 1 7 5 good good marginal 30 high continuous barrier due to build up of substrate upstream 1m riffle/cascade 

West Barham River Downstream of town supply weir (x13) 54 726184 57 07047 minor 1 0 0 0 2 7.3 10 58 0 Excellent Good poor 53 high continuous 0.3 9 0.3 0.15 rock maintrenance required at all pipe crossings 

West Barham River Town supply weir 54 725445 5710822 major 1 0 0 0 2 10.3 7 40 13 excellent excellent poor 53 low continuous ~3.0 ~9m ~3 ~3m V -slot fish ladder best solution (NB - site not visited) (built 1958) 

Elliot River Elliot River Road 54 727226 57 04122 minor 0 0 0 0 1 1.7 6.2 78 N excellent excellent excellent 54 low intermittent 3.2 4 9 0.3 upstream of the falls 

Aire River Aire Valley Rd 54 724592 57 16823 minor 1 0 1 0 1 38 5 12 0 excellent excellent excellent 58 high continuous 1.3 6 2 0.5 Needs rocks d/s 

Carmichael Creek Plantation Road 54 680272 57 21373 major 0 0 0 0 1 1.7 2 54 0 fair fair low intermittent 1.5 5 7 no water Box Culvert or bridge 

Sherbrook River Loch Road 54 681607 57 24062 major 0 0 0 0 1 6.2 7 53 0 good good moderate intermittent 0.7 4 6.5 no water Box Culvert or bridge 

When level is low. Needs blackberry control, no stock exclusion. Remove 

Chapple Ck Sand Pits Rd 10m u/s bridge 54 702383 57 02383 minor 1 0 0 0 2 32 6.4 17 0 moderate poor marginal 13 low continuous 0.95 4 0.5 0 

or needs rocks d/s 

Rock fishway is 4.4 m long (10% grade) and is too short. Priority for 

Kennedys Creek Macintyres Rd gauge and fishway 54 696649 57 26554 major 1 0 0 0 2 45 17 27 0 good good marginal 17 low continuous 0.73 8.7 1.9 0.1 

maintenance and more rock. 

Complex system to form a swimming pool. Natural falls upstream and 

Chapple Ck South Branch Morris Tk 54 707660 57 16386 minor 1 0 0 0 3 43 23 35 1 Good d/s Good d/s marginal 19 high intermittent 12 20 30 

downstream (357) 

extra 5-6m rock at bottom to improve gradient, capable of small fish 

Gellibrand River Lyness Road - Nth Otway pumping station 54 706304 5729468 minor 1 0 0 0 1 53 62 54 0 good good marginal 14 moderate continuous 1.34 12 16 1.24 

passage only 

Gellibrand River 200m d/s Clancys Access (old stream gauge) 54 722441 57 31978 major 1 0 0 0 1 87 29 25 1 good good marginal 15 low continuous 1 5 1 0.4 Remove 


Gellibrand River d/s Stevensons Falls (stream gauge) 54 731434 57 28345 minor 1 0 0 0 1 110 34 24 2 excellent excellent marginal 16 high supplimented 0.4 10.3 14.5 0.335 

extra 5-6m rock at bottom to improve gradient, capable of small fish 

passage only



Comments 

Waterway Name 

Site Name 

Zone 

Easting 

Northing 

Priority 





Stream order 


km opened 





RHS 

ISC 



Height 

Width 

Length 

Slope 

11 (22 inc. 

Boggy Ck Carlisle Rd 54 708564 57 31690 minor 1 0 0 0 3 58 12 17 0 good moderate low intermittent 3.5 16 

1.2 Needs blackberry control. 

rocks) 

Carlisle River Gellibrand River Rd 54 708791 57 29687 minor 1 0 0 0 2 57 20 26 0 poor poor good 21 high continuous 2 5 6 1.2 Rock ramp too short. Needs blackberry control. Recent re-veg u/s. 

Recent re-veg u/s. Channelised d/s. Needs more rocks / fishway up to 

Cole Ck Tuckers Orchard Rd 54 710209 57 28931 minor 1 0 0 0 3 60 6 9 1 poor poor low intermittent 3.2 4.5 14 1.4 and through culverts. Needs re-veg d/s. Needs stock exclusion d/s. Minor 

tributary 

1.4, 1.6, 0.4, 

First Ck Water catchment weir 54 712355 57 20407 minor 0 0 0 0 4 74 1.5 2 0 good excellent low supplimented Various 6, 20, 20, 5 Large weir, but very high in catchment 

1.0 

4, 1.2, 2, 1.2, 

10, 12, 10, 10, 

Arkins Ck west branch Water catchment weir 54 712643 57 20377 minor 0 0 0 0 4 74 2.6 3 0 good excellent low supplimented Various 

Large weir, but very high in catchment 

2, 1.4, 1, 0.5 

40, 3, 7 

Arkins Ck east branch Water catchment weir 54 712921 57 20458 minor 0 0 0 0 4 75 2 3 0 good excellent low supplimented 2, 1.4, 8, 0.8 Various 6, 30, 10 Large weir, but very high in catchment 

Lardners Ck Gellibrand East Rd Stream gauge) 54 721785 57 31881 major 1 0 0 0 2 79 14 15 1 moderate moderate marginal 23 low continuous 0.65 6.5 0.25 0.55 Blackberry present, High priority site for fishway / Stn Number: 235211A 

Yahoo Ck Gellibrand – Colac Rd (old stream gauge) 54 725396 57 38044 major 0 0 0 0 3 88 6 6 1 moderate poor low intermittent 1.2 3 0.3 0.7 Remove 

Serpentine Ck McDonalds Rd 54 726128 57 37529 minor 0 0 0 0 3 90 4.5 5 3 moderate poor low intermittent 2.5 8 13 Velocity and light 

Ten Mile Creek Cashins Rd 54 726594 57 39974 minor 0 0 0 0 3 96 5 5 3 good good low intermittent 2 4 5 Velocity and light 

Ten Mile Creek Cashins Rd (stream guage) 54 726594 57 39974 minor 0 0 0 0 3 96 5 5 2 good good low intermittent 0.6 4 0.3 Needs rock ramp below 

Ten Mile Creek PA off Cashins Rd 54 726777 57 39855 minor 0 0 0 0 3 95.5 4.5 5 1 good good low intermittent 2 10 9 Velocity and light 

Porcupine Ck McDonalds Rd (stream gauge) 54 727371 57 37835 minor 0 0 0 0 3 92 10 10 1 moderate poor marginal 25 low intermittent 0.5 4.5 1 Needs rocks below and re-veg 

Porcupine Ck McDonalds Rd 54 727371 57 37835 minor 0 0 0 0 3 92 10 10 2 moderate poor marginal 25 low intermittent 1.5 6 4.5 Velocity and light 

Low fish passage priority, galaxids obs, some scope to improve a 2 m 

Squirrel Ck Brumbys Rd 54 667914 57 26091 minor 0 0 0 0 2 5.2 2 28 0 poor poor low intermittent 3 25 6 N/A 

wide spillway to improve fish passage 

Spring Creek Tom Delaney Farm 54 663428 57 29373 major 1 0 0 1 2 5.7 10.7 65 0 fair poor low continuous 6 40 25 6 High priority site for fishway, existing fishway non-functional for most fish 

Spring Creek Crofts Rd 54 664119 57 29601 major 1 0 0 0 2 6.5 9.9 60 1 fair fair low continuous 2 60 12 N/A Crossing has backed up water and killed trees, high priority site 

Creek has no name just u/s Spring Ck. Galaxids obs, culverts are 

Spring Creek trib Walkers Crossing #2 54 664866 57 29199 major 0 0 0 0 3 7.3 9.1 2 2 fair fair low continuous 2 45 6 N/A 

blocked, galaxids obs, medium priority 

Crossing has backed up water and killing trees, high priority site, galaxids 

Spring Creek Walkers Crossing 54 665124 57 29358 major 0 0 0 0 2 7.6 8.8 54 3 good good low continuous 4 40 15 0.1 

obs 

Spring Creek D/S Curdievale-Port Campbell Rd 54 665739 57 30011 major 0 0 0 0 2 8.5 7.9 48 4 fair good low continuous 0.15 8 3 0.06 Barrier at low flows only, Medium priority 

Rock fishway present, maintenance required, needs a 40-50 mm 

Curdies River Trestle bridge gauge & fishway 54 671036 57 42957 minor 0 0 0 0 4 35 55 61 0 good good poor 2 high continuous 0.6 5.6 2.3 0.07 

headloss @crest criteria 

Cost-benefit is high, ecological priority is medium. Galaxids obs in u/s 

Scotts Creek Digneys Bridge (stream gauge) 54 673586 57 42558 major 0 0 0 0 3 39 33 46 2 good good marginal 5 low intermittent 0.1 7.4 3.8 0.1 

pool 

Willows on bank. Fishway work required 235/2-40-9/B0002 / Stn Number: 

Scotts Creek 20m u/s Murfitts Rd (old stream gauge) 54 687241 57 42457 major 0 0 0 0 2 58 14 19 1 poor poor marginal 6 low intermittent 1 9 1.1 0.42 

235237A 

A'Becketts Creek End of Cowen's Lane 54 662663 57 38326 major 0 0 0 0 3 20 5 20 2 fair fair low intermittent 25 100 100 25 Massive dam wall, 600m from Curdies 

Cooriemungle Ck Williams Rd 20m d/s 54 680593 57 39504 minor 0 0 0 0 2 54 20 27 0 moderate moderate marginal 7 low intermittent 1.05 9 2 0.59 Home made pools, remove and replace with rack ramp 


Cobden Ck 

Adjacent to Cobden Sewerage Treatment 

Facility 

54 683531 57 55468 minor 0 0 0 0 3 69 8.2 11 0 poor poor low intermittent 1 3 1 Rock ramp, but low priority 

Cobden Ck Camperdown - Cobden Rd 54 681617 57 55938 minor 0 0 0 0 3 72 6 8 1 poor poor low intermittent 20 100 20 

Large town dam, expensive to rectify. Heavily modified with stream 

diversion. 

61

62 


Appendix F: Details of other site inspections not considered to represent fish barriers 

Waterbody Location Zone Easting Northing Structure Type Structure purpose Height (m) Width Length 

Headloss (m) Comments 

(m) (m) 

Armstrong Ck Barwon Heads Rd 55 270534 5764657 Box culvert Road bridge 1.4 5 18 Light issue, grills needed 

Armstrong Ck Horseshoe Bend Rd 55 268341 5764304 Box culvert Road bridge 1.6 3 8 Light issue 

Armstrong Ck Surfcoast Hwy 55 266741 5764940 Box culvert Road bridge 2.4 20 37 Light issue, grills needed 

Barwon River Breakwater Rd 55 269156 5770628 bridge Rail bridge 6 100 5 Willows present, some weed control and re-veg evident 

Barwon River Breakwater Rd 55 269156 5770628 bridge Road bridge 2 40 8 Willows present, some weed control and re-veg evident 

Barwon River Mc Millans Lane 54 762322 5773582 Box culvert Road causeway 1.3 27 6 New fishway in culvert with rock baffling 

Barwon River Conns Lane 54 747719 5754294 Gauging weir Stream rating 0.3 17 2.1 0.1 Maintenance required 

Waurn Ponds Ck D/s breakwater 55 269025 5770317 bridge railway N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Barwon Heads Road 55 268321 5770199 bridge road N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck u/s Barwon Head Road 55 268097 5770119 bridge pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck us Bailey Street, Grovedale 55 267976 5769845 pipeline bridge sewerage N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Bailey Street, Grovedale 55 267797 5769522 walking bridge pedestrian N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Surf Coast Hwy 55 267334 5769722 bridge road N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck drain outlet, Highmont Dr 55 266305 5769499 drainage erosion control N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck drain outlet, us Natika Crt 55 266006 5769267 drainage N/A N/A N/A sediment build up 

Waurn Ponds Ck bridge behind Baseball field 55 265711 5768883 bridge pedestrian bridge 12 37 4 N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck pipe behind Baseball field 55 265645 5768773 pipeline bridge pipeline 6 30 0.5 N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Pioneer Rd 55 265590 5768563 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck d/s Pioneer Rd 55 265590 5768595 bridge pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck d/s Rosack Dr 55 264869 5768285 pipe culvert pedestrian causeway 5 8 2.4 N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Rosack Dr 55 264669 5768163 pipe culvert road bridge N/A N/A N/A light possible issue 

Waurn Ponds Ck us Rosack Dr 55 264389 5768023 bridge pedestrian bridge 10 20 3.5 N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck ds Princess Hwy 55 263927 5768157 bridge pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Princess Hwy out of town 55 263881 5768173 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck Princess Hwy old bridge 55 263853 5768185 bridge disused bridge N/A N/A N/A Heritage 

Waurn Ponds Ck Princess Hwy out of town 55 263833 5768198 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Waurn Ponds Ck u/s Jarvis Oval 55 262962 5768085 private footbridge private footbridge 1.5 3 1 

Waurn Ponds Ck Private causeway 55 262212 5767739 pipe culvert private causeway 2.4 6 

Waurn Ponds Ck Cochranes Road 55 260326 5768757 pipe culvert road causeway 0.55 5 6 no water but erosion downstream is significant 

Anglesea River Hall Rd in mine (20 m u/s) 55 253429 5747191 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Anglesea River Gumflats Rd 55 250771 5751974 Pipe culvert Road causeway 2.8 4 9 No water Box culverts, erosion control + maintenance 

Anglesea River Cecil Tk 55 225025 5752345 Ford Concrete ford 0.9 exten 5 N/A 

Freshwater Ck (T. Ck trib) Just u/s Pettavel Rd 55 258510 5763915 Pipe culvert Road bridge 1.3 4 8 Minor trib. 

Freshwater Ck (T. Ck trib) Pettavel Rd 55 258526 5763925 Pipe culvert Road bridge 1.9 7 9 Minor trib. 

Jan Juc Ck Duffields Rd 55 264359 5752588 Pipe culvert Road causeway 1.5 4.5 11 Stream underground u/s 

Jan Juc Ck Holylake Ave 55 264607 5752634 Box culvert Road causeway 1.8 4 12 

Merrigig Ck (T. Ck trib) Anglesea Rd 55 261227 5759274 Box culvert Road bridge 1.7 12 10 Multiple dams immediately u/s 

Salt Ck Peregrine Tk 55 251003 5746615 Pipe culvert Road causeway 2.5 8 8 No water Box culverts, d/s erosion control required 

Spring Ck GOR 55 265309 5753260 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A WL 1.54m 

Spring Ck Duffields Rd 55 264254 5754045 Pipe culvert Road causeway 2.5 12 10 

Spring Ck Anglesea Rd 55 260850 5754155 bridge Road bridge 9 26 12 N/A Weed infested (periwinkle) Re-veg needed, weed control 

Thompsons Ck Blackgate Rd 55 272350 5759168 bridge Road bridge 2.5 20 9 

Thompsons Ck Torquay Rd 55 266260 5760583 bridge Road bridge Remove rock buildup 

Thompsons Ck Ghazepore Rd 55 263022 5760655 Pipe culvert Road bridge 2 14 15 Even out climb with more rock 

Thompsons Ck Charlemont Farm 55 269620 5760690 Pipe culvert Road bridge 1.7 6 7 

Thompsons Ck Anglesea Rd 55 261126 5760722 bridge Road bridge 8 20 10 Freshwater Ck @ Dickens Rd OK 26/5/09 

Thompsons Ck Nobles Rd 55 249630 5758054 bridge Road bridge 5 30 7 Needs re- veg u/s & d/s 

Thompsons Ck Larcombes Rd 55 250447 5760267 Box culvert Road bridge 3 10 12 

Thompsons Ck Hendy Main Rd 55 252489 5760990 Box culvert Road bridge 9 20 15 Severe erosion d/s, no rip. Veg. (211) Needs re-veg d/s 

Thompsons Ck Willowhite Rd 55 256694 5761415 Box culvert Road bridge 1.2 6 4 

Thompsons Ck Hunt’s Rd 55 255033 5761697 Box culvert Road bridge 1.3 16 5 Riparian veg removed d/s – re-veg needed 

Thompsons Ck S. trib Willowhite Rd 55 256574 5760871 Box culvert Road bridge 3.5 11 9 Re-veg d/s 

Thompsons Ck trib. Pettavel Rd just S of 55 258368 5762411 Pipe culvert Road bridge 2.1 6 9 Good re-veg u/s Dam immed. u/s 

Thompsons Ck W Reserve west of Pt Impossible Rd 55 270195 5757587 Redundant ford and old fish trap Ford and fish trap 2 6 9 

Thompsons Ck W Pt Impossible Rd 55 270349 5757594 Box culvert Road bridge 2.4 11 8 

Yarram Ck Old Geelong Rd 55 291238 5763027 Box culvert Road bridge 0.5 4.2 8 Light issue, grill needed Successful re – veg. 

Yarram Ck Portarlington Rd 55 291165 5763046 Box culvert Road bridge 0.6 13 13 Light issue, grill needed Successful re – veg. 

Distillery Creek Loves Tk 55 246384 5740954 Ford Road ford 1.1 3 7.5 No water 

Painkalac Creek Old Coach Rd 55 246129 5740438 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A erosion head u/s 

Painkalac Creek Bimbadeen Dr 55 246399 5740160 bridge Private bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Moggs Ck Walking track 55 243377 5739308 bridge Pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Painkalac Creek GOR 55 246498 5738593 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Moggs Ck GOR 55 243993 5738119 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Coalmine Ck Footbridge u/s GOR 55 242340 5737763 bridge Pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Coalmine Ck GOR 55 242339 5737746 Pipe culvert Road causeway N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Spout Ck GOR 55 241450 5737269 Box culvert Road causeway 3 10 20 

Grassy Ck GOR u/s to branch 55 240618 5736665 Multiple natural rock barriers N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Grassy Ck GOR 55 240578 5736572 bridge Road bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Grassy Ck Inside Geoff property #3 55 240862 5736357 bridge Pedestrian bridge N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Big Hill Ck GOR 55 239104 5734753 Box culvert Road bridge 4.4 10.3 16 No water 

Reedy Ck GOR 54 761428 5733187 Box culvert Road bridge 4 8.2 17 

Stony Ck u/s GOR 54 760320 5732274 bridge Pedestrian bridge 1.2 9 2.5 

Stony Ck u/s GOR 54 760430 5732250 bridge Pedestrian bridge 1.2 9 2.5 

Stony Ck u/s GOR 54 760456 5732207 bridge Pedestrian bridge 2 10 2.4 

Stony Ck GOR 54 760530 5732153 Box culvert Road bridge 3 14 17 Exotics being planted on bank 





(m) (m) 

Erskine River Walking path alongside 54 758576 5731137 bridge Pedestrian bridge 4 10 1.2 Blackberry present 

Erskine River d/s GOR 54 749566 5730834 bridge Pedestrian bridge 

Erskine River GOR 54 759210 5730536 bridge Road bridge 2 x Pedestrian bridges 

Cora Lynn Ck Henderson TK 54 757150 5730422 Pipe culvert Road causeway 2.8 6 4 Blackberry present 

St George River Allenvale Rd 54 757783 5729075 bridge Road bridge 9 22 6 Natural rock barriers u/s & d/s (265) 

St George River u/s GOR 54 759092 5728754 bridge Pedestrian bridge 3 12 1.2 

Sheoak Ck Allenvale Rd - Garvey Tk 54 756456 5728550 bridge Road bridge 6 20 7 Kalimna Falls 3km u/s 

St George River u/s GOR 54 758276 5728526 bridge Pedestrian bridge 7 16 1.2 Numerous natural rock barriers s/s & d/s (ph 273) 

St George River GOR 54 759325 5728449 bridge Road bridge 4 27 9 

Sheoak Ck (River) GOR 54 758481 5727113 Box culvert Road bridge 3.5 20 12 

Cumberland River 100m u/s GOR 54 756953 5726389 Gauging weir Gauging weir 0.2 10 0.5 

Cumberland River GOR 54 756937 5726253 Box culvert Road bridge 3 25 11 

Jamieson Ck GOR 54 724900 5723974 Box culvert Road bridge 3.5 18 11 

Separation Ck 50m u/s GOR 54 752253 5720272 bridge Pedestrian bridge 

Separation Ck GOR 54 752284 5720266 bridge Road bridge 4 21 9 

Wye River GOR 54 751685 5719848 bridge Road bridge 2.7 35 9 

Wye River Vehicle bridge in caravan park 54 751386 5719666 bridge Road bridge 4 16 3.5 

Wye River Failed old weir 54 750460 5719480 Failed weir Old weir is now demolished 

Kennett River GOR 54 749051 5716351 bridge Road bridge 5 39 11 

Grey River GOR 54 746943 5714654 bridge Road bridge 14 18 9 Blackberry eradication needed 

Carisbrook Ck GOR 54 744337 5713594 bridge Road bridge 7 27 13 

Sugarloaf Ck GOR 54 743206 5713152 Box culvert Road causeway 3.2 24 10 

Wild Dog Ck Bottom of Govt Rd off Wild Dog Ck Rd 54 731158 5713038 Ford Road ford 15 Watercress evident. Land owner on W side has permit for a bridge. 

Wild Dog Ck Wild Dog Cottage off Wild Dog Ck Rd 54 731376 5712620 Ford Road ford 18 Excellent riparian on W side. 

Smythes Ck GOR 54 740259 5712388 bridge Road bridge 6 37 12 

Browns Ck GOR 54 738194 5711389 bridge Road bridge 4 7 10 

Petticoat Ck GOR 54 737250 5711096 Box culvert Road causeway 5 7 9.5 

Skenes Ck Farm u/s GOR 54 736000 5710777 bridge Private road bridge 3.5 14 3.9 Re-veg required 

Skenes Ck GOR 54 735673 5710308 Box culvert Road causeway 5 37 16 

Wild Dog Ck ‘Binnawee’ u/s GOR 54 732862 5710146 Box culvert Road causeway 1.7 10 4 Re-veg required, no stock exclusion. 

Wild Dog Ck GOR 54 733224 5709160 bridge Road bridge 3.7 20 9 

Duck Ck Horden Vale Rd 54 716752 5702076 pipe culvert road causeway 2.5 6 7.5 no water Box Culvert or bridge 

Aire River Lower Aire River Crossing 54 715245 5702207 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Aire River Aire Valley Rd 54 724599 5716828 Spanning Bridge road bridge 8 10 4 N/A 

Aire River sth of Wyelangta, Aire Crossing Rd 54 715356 5713120 stone weir gauging station N/A N/A N/A N/A 

Parker River Blanket Bay Road 54 720650 5697653 bridge road bridge 

Deep Ck Hordan Vale Rd 54 716486 5704714 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Johanna River Johanna Road xing - tennis court 54 706416 5707359 bridge road bridge N/A 

Ford River Watsons Road 54 711387 5707667 natural stone weir Old gauging station N/A N/A N/A Needs stock control 

Ford River Watsons Road 54 711334 5707614 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Milanesia Creek Old Iluka access track -private xing 54 701237 5709620 No structure no track found N/A 

Ford River Aire River Road 54 710900 5710027 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Sherbrook River GOR 54 679658 5721140 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

Barham River Barham River Road 54 729989 5705458 bridge Road Bridge 

Barham River Barham River Road 54 729248 5705950 Wood and steel bridge private access 

West Barham River Redundant weir 54 728642 5705960 Concrete redundant water supply 0 7 3 0 Successful removal, large substrate riffle u/s with 1m cascade 

West Barham River Barham River Road 54 728831 5705996 bridge Road Bridge Debris build up uspream 

Barham River Apollo Bay Caravan Park 54 731600 5706143 bridge private access wooden bridge at estuary 

Anderson Creek Barham River Road 54 731279 5706338 Culvert causeway road crossing 

West Barham River Downstream of town supply weir 54 726608 5706643 Concrete ‘weir’ 150mm water main protection 0.8 15 0.7 0.1 3 X 150mm pipes through wall allowing flow Blackberry issue 

West Barham River Downstream of town supply weir 54 726534 5706733 Concrete ‘weir’ and exposed pipe 150mm water main protection 0.4 15 0.6 Blackberry issue 

East Barham River Barham River Road 54 727707 5707643 Wood and steel bridge private access 

West Barham River Downstream of town supply weir 54 726198 5707879 Concrete ‘weir’ 150mm water main protection 0 8 0.5 Top is level with stream bed Blackberry issue 

Anderson Creek d/s from Dam 54 730408 5707929 Box culvert causeway private access 1.2 2.6 6 0 

Anabranch - Anderson Ck d/s from Dam 54 730467 5707960 Box culvert causeway private access 5.5 11 4 0 

Anderson Creek d/s from Dam 54 730376 5707961 Box culvert causeway private access 1.2 2.6 6 0 



East Barham River Ford - "Danawa" 54 729160 5710578 ford private access 

East Barham River Barham River Road - below Mariners Falls 54 729590 5711390 Wood and steel bridge Road Bridge 

Sherbrook River Eastern Ck Road 54 682238 5725424 pipe culvert road causeway 23.5 7 12 no water Box Culvert or bridge 

Latrobe Creek GOR 54 687217 5715066 bridge road bridge N/A N/A N/A 

LaTrobe Creek GOR 54 687217 5715066 bridge bridge Pylon 

LaTrobe Creek Princetown Rd 54 685372 5720153 bridge & spillway bridge & erosion control Minor tributary 

Gellibrand River 54 691750 5710750 N/A bridge N/A 

Kennedys Creek Lavers Hill - Cobden Rd 54 694900 5732334 bridge bridge main road bridge 

Gellibrand River PA off Gellibrand River Rd 54 695664 5721355 bridge Road bridge 10 30 4 

Gellibrand River Bridge & gauging station (GOR) 54 695670 5714163 bridge bridge 8 40 10 N/A No weir visible for stream gauge (@ 0.2 m) - 1st bridge 

Gellibrand River Lower Reserve (2nd bridge) 54 696099 5716396 bridge bridge 5 34 5 N/A Wooden bridge in lower park - pylons 

Kennedys Creek Kennedys Ck Settlement Rd 54 696338 5726033 bridge bridge N/A Bridge in disrepair, not priority 

Kennedys Creek Kennedys Ck Farm track 54 696472 5722372 bridge bridge 2 10 5 N/A Bridge in disrepair but no barrier 

Gellibrand River Sth Otway Pumping Station bridge 54 697046 5721334 bridge private 2 10 5 N/A Concrete bridge 

Gellibrand River old disused bridge u/s 54 697130 5721164 N/A old structure on bank nothing else 

Gellibrand River Sth Otway Pumping Station Hole 54 697169 5721334 N/A No weir just deep hole 

Gellibrand River Gellibrand River Road 54 697428 5719883 bridge bridge N/A Concrete bridge 

Gellibrand River Lavers Hill - Cobden Road 54 697790 5722281 bridge bridge N/A concrete pylon 


63

64 




(m) (m) 

Chapple Creek u/s Lavers Hill - Cobden Road 54 698386 5722378 bridge bridge N/A 

Gellibrand River Bones Track 54 699035 5723161 bridge bridge N/A bridge 

Gellibrand River King Track 54 700171 5724081 bridge bridge N/A wood bridge 

Skinners Ck Lavers Hill – Cobden Rd 54 700858 5720595 bridge Road bridge 3 14 12 Needs blackberry & weed control & re-veg u/s 

Chapple Ck Sand Pits Rd 54 702383 5702383 bridge Road bridge 4 14 5.5 Needs blackberry control, stock exclusion 

Chapple Ck Junction Tk 54 704132 5719502 bridge Road bridge 3.5 11 5 Natural rock barriers u/s (355) 

Sandy Ck Gellibrand River Rd 54 705220 5726534 bridge Road bridge 3 13 12 Needs stock exclusion & re-veg 

Sandy Ck Gellibrand River Rd 54 705220 5726534 bridge Old road bridge used by stock 3 10 3.5 Needs stock exclusion & re-veg 

Gellibrand River Trotters Access 54 705341 5728193 Abandoned bridge Road / stock bridge 5 15 5 pylons in the water. Blackberry present 

Gellibrand River Larsons Access 54 706653 5730220 bridge New road bridge 7 24 3.75 Some recent re-veg 

Leahy Ck Gellibrand River Rd 54 707201 5728956 Pipe culvert Road causeway 3.8 12.5 11.5 Needs stock exclusion & re-veg 

Leahy Ck 20m d/sGellibrand River Rd 54 707201 5728956 Pipe culvert Old road causeway 2 3.5 4 0.2 Needs maintenance (364) Needs stock exclusion & re-veg 

Gellibrand River Silks Access Rd 54 707285 5731301 bridge Road bridge 5 17 4.5 

Boggy Ck (Drain) Silks Access Rd 54 707626 5731206 Box culvert Road causeway 3 7 4 Channelised. Needs stock exclusion & re-veg 

Gellibrand River Ganes Access 54 708632 5733916 bridge Road / stock bridge 7 25 4 Blackberry present, no stock exclusion 

Carlisle River Gellibrand River Rd 54 708791 5729687 bridge Road bridge 7 30 11 Needs re-veg d/s. Needs blackberry control 

Gellibrand River Carlisle Rd, Black Bridge 54 710420 5734428 bridge Road bridge 10 29 9 

Arkins Ck Delaneys Tk 54 710871 5724505 Abandoned bridge Road bridge Blackberry present 

Carlisle River Link Tk 54 711003 5724589 bridge Road bridge 4 20 4.5 

Boggy Ck Gellibrand – Carlisle Rd 54 711152 5731131 Pipe culvert Road causeway 5 15 20 Light issue. Some cells blocked with sand. Stock is excluded d/s. 

Gellibrand River Off Gellibrand Valley Rd 54 716457 5733091 natural rock barrier Gauging station 1 30 12 

Gellibrand River Off Gellibrand Valley Rd 54 717322 5732787 Fallen log Falsely shown as weir on the map 

Charleys Ck Gellibrand Valley Rd 54 720504 5733032 bridge Road bridge 2 12 11 

Gellibrand River Colac Rd 54 721338 5733809 bridge Pedestrian bridge 11 25 3 Willows removed 

Gellibrand River Colac Rd 54 721357 5733797 bridge Road bridge 10 25 13 Willows removed 

Lardners Ck Gellibrand East Rd 54 721785 5731881 bridge Road bridge 8 20 4.5 Blackberry present 

Gellibrand River Daffys Lane 54 721979 5733211 bridge Road bridge 7.5 20 4.5 Willows present 

Loves Creek Escarpment Rd bridge 54 722499 5735262 bridge road crossing 

Loves Ck PA nth Frys Access 54 722747 5735443 bridge Road bridge 6 5 4 Blackberry present 

Loves Creek Private crossing off Beech forest Rd 54 722769 5735481 bridge road crossing 

Loves Ck Next PA nth Frys Access 54 722791 5735513 bridge Road bridge 4 8 4 Blackberry present 

Gellibrand River Clancys Access 54 722945 5731815 bridge Road bridge 3 10 4 Blackberry present 

Charleys Ck Gellibrand – Lavers Hill Rd 54 720312 5731221 bridge Road bridge 8 30 11 

Gellibrand River Raffertys Access 54 723407 5732307 bridge Road bridge Blackberry present 

Lardners Ck Jacksons Tk 54 723857 5729822 bridge Road bridge 6 12 4 Blackberry present 

Loves Creek Gauge and fishway at Arkuna Grove 54 724345 5737481 Gauging Weir gauge 0.65 6.8 3 0.25 rock fishway present, maintenance required , 1979 

Gellibrand River Ashs Access 54 724700 5733705 Abandoned bridge Road bridge 

Loves Creek Beech Forest Rd crossing Kawarren 54 725308 5737674 bridge road crossing 

Loves Ck Colac Rd 54 725393 5737964 bridge Road bridge 10 12 11 

Yahoo Ck PA off Gellibrand – Colac Rd 54 720400 5738203 bridge Road bridge 3 9 4 

Yahoo Ck PA off Gellibrand – Colac Rd 54 722400 5738221 bridge Road bridge 1.2 4 3 Needs re-veg 

Serpentine Ck 90m u/s McDonalds Rd 54 726150 5737589 bridge Rail bridge 5 12 3 

Gellibrand River Bridge Tk 54 727251 5731108 bridge Road bridge 10 20 4.5 

Gellibrand River James Access 54 727377 5732198 bridge Road bridge 8 25 4 Blackberry present 

Gellibrand River River ford below Stevensons Falls 54 731394 5727805 concrete causeway 0.2 10 5 0 rock placement- no issue 

Cowleys Ck Timboon – Colac Rd 54 675571 5740894 bridge Road bridge 4 20 11 

Scotts Ck Dorey’s Rd 54 676442 5742026 bridge Road bridge 6 25 5 

Scotts Ck Cobden – Port Campbell Rd 54 678899 5742691 bridge Road bridge 11 45 11 

Cooriemungle Ck Timboon – Colac Rd 54 680300 5741606 bridge Road bridge 5 27 11 Needs re-veg u/s 

Cooriemungle Ck Williams Rd 54 680600 5739512 bridge Road bridge 4 30 8 

Scotts Ck Peters Bridge Rd 54 683564 5742481 bridge Road bridge 5 15 4 

Sunday Ck Timboon – Colac Rd 54 686924 5742239 Box culvert Road causeway 5 13 11 

Scotts Ck Murfitts Rd 54 687231 5742464 bridge Road bridge 6 14 5 Willows on banks 

Scotts Ck PA off Timboon – Colac Rd 54 690432 5743400 Culvert Road causeway 

Scotts Ck PA off Timboon – Colac Rd 54 690880 5743704 Box culvert Road causeway 2.5 5 4 Needs blackberry control 

Scotts Ck Lavers Hill – Cobden Rd 54 691038 5743850 bridge Road bridge 3.5 13 8 Needs blackberry control 

A'Becketts Creek Timboon - Nullawarre Rd 54 662795 5740116 pipe culvert road crossing 12 60 25 N/A 

A'Becketts Creek 15m nth Timboon - Nullawarre Rd 54 662795 5740116 spanning bridge farm crossing 1.5 6 3 N/A 

Scotts Ck PA off Timboon – Colac Rd 54 688267 5742838 bridge Road bridge 3 6 4 Blackberry control evident 

Curdies River d/s Timboon-Nullawarre rd#2 54 668413 5739859 old causeway causeway 0.3 10 8 0.3 Appears to be an old rock causeway. 

Curdies River d/s Timboon-Nullawarre rd 54 668579 5739896 removed bridge private bridge Bridge has been removed, not priority. Site is degraded. 

Curdies River Boggy Ck Road pipeline - near Curdievale 54 659886 5734977 pipeline pipe N/A Need to check this - can see it on map - hopefully overhead pipe?? 

Curdies River trib Site u/s trestle bridge gauge on small trib 54 671222 5742675 box culvert crossing 0.15 2 5 0.1 Private crossing with cattle grid deck unit -Galaxids obs 

Spring Creek Curdievale-Port Campbell Rd 54 665807 5730106 bridge road crossing No barrier, galaxids obs in pools underneath (but other farm barriers exist u/s ) 

Squirell Ck Jarvis Rd 54 666686 5725684 arched box culverts stock watering/irrigation 1.4 5.6 8.6 N/A Degraded site, culverts OK for fish passage, not priority 

Squirell Ck Timboon-Peterborough rd 54 665516 5725975 pipe culvert stock watering/irrigation 2 3.8 10 N/A Highly degraded site, not priority 

Wallaby Creek Dunbars Road 54 665463 5726798 box culvert irrigation 1.7 4.4 4.8 N/A Fish passage probably OK here, not priority, obs galaxids 

Wallaby Creek Timboon-Peterborough Rd 54 667080 5727841 pipe culvert irrigation 2 4.1 9.2 N/A Highly degraded site, pipes OK for fish passage, not priority 

Curdies River Boggy Ck Road bridge - near Curdievale 54 659888 5734927 bridge road crossing N/A Main Road bridge 

Curdies River Timboon 54 669400 5739680 Old concrete broad crested weir. Stn Number: 235201A. Site decommissioned 1959. 

Curdies River Timboon-Nullawarre rd 54 669372 5740285 bridge road crossing Main Road bridge 

Curdies River Curdies River Rd bridge 54 670657 5742509 bridge road crossing Stn Number: 235203B / 235/2/B0001 

Curdies River Moorhouse Bridge 54 674224 5745986 bridge road crossing Not inspected as high in system - unlikely to be barrier - low priority 

A'Becketts Creek Cowen's Lane 54 662594 5738953 causeway / culvert road crossing 3 20 4 N/A 



Appendix G: Current examples of suitable fishway solutions for 

CCMA streams 

Pool-type fishway (includes vertical slot fishway) 

Pool-type fishways were the first type to be developed and consist of interconnected pools bypassing 

a barrier to fish movement. Many different types of pool fishways have been installed in Australia 

however, the vertical-slot design is the only one which has proved effective with native fish and these 

are common throughout SE Australia including Broken Creek (Figure A), Broken River, Kerang Weir 

on the Loddon River, Gunbower Creek, and most of the Murray River fishways. 

Vertical-slot fishways offer consistent flow conditions over a wide range of river flow conditions and 

can be specifically targeted for a broad size range of fish or sub-sets of the migratory fish community. 

Figure A. Vertical slot fishway, Broken Creek. 

(Photo: I. Stuart) 

Figure B. Full width rock ramp fishway constructed in 

2009, Shepparton Weir, Goulburn River. (Photo: I. Stuart) 

Figure C. Rock ramp fishway constructed at Chowilla 

Floodplain (SA) incorporating a low flow channel (Photo: 

I. Stuart) 

Rock-ramp fishways 

Rock-ramp fishway technology has improved markedly in the last 5 years and there are many 

successful rock-ramp fishways in Victoria, NSW and Queensland (Figure B). These fishways are 

rocky channels that simulate rocky stream riffles and enable fish to bypass the structure by swimming 

between pools separated by faster flowing rock ridges. In narrow streams, rock-ramp fishways that 

span the entire stream width offer the advantages of operating over a wide range of river levels and 

fish can easily find the fishway entrance. 

Rock-ramp fishways are usually cheaper than technical fishways but must be carefully designed and 

constructed to avoid loss of depth due to seepage of water under the rocks and regular maintenance, 

particularly post-flooding is also required. 



It is also often advantageous to incorporate a low flow channel within rock ramp fishways (Figure C) to 

enable fish passage throughout most of the year and to enable passage of fish the prefer to move 

during lower flows. 

Fish Passage at Road crossings – Culvert, fords, causeways 

Road crossings can act as barriers to fish passage by creating a physical blockage (a fall of only 10 

cm is enough to create a vertical barrier that will block fish passage), a hydrological barrier due to 

excessive water velocities, or by forming artificial conditions that act as behavioural barriers to fish 

such as darkness. At culverts the four major factors that control fish migration are: 1) water velocity, 2) 

turbulence, 3) water depth, 4) space, and 5) light. 

Large native fish (>250 mm long) can negotiate up to 0.75 m s -1 for medium distances (i.e. 8-10 m) but 

small (30 mm long) native fish have a much reduced swimming capacity (i.e. 0.1 m s -1 ) over the same 

distance (Mallen-Cooper 2001). 

Turbulence (energy dissipation) is determined by the discharge and velocity of the water entering the 

tailwater and the volume available to dissipate the power of that water, and is usually described as 

watts per cubic metre (W m 3 ). Recent research has shown that manipulating or reducing turbulence 

can greatly improve fish passage (Mallen-Cooper et al. 2008). 

Small fish require a depth of 0.3 m or more and 0.7 m will be adequate for medium sized fish. 

Fish require adequate space when negotiating a culvert to avoid predators and also to avoid any 

behavioural inhibitions. 

Most native and non-native fish have strong diel movement patterns and several move almost 

exclusively when there is daylight (several small-bodied species). 

Guidelines for culvert design to mitigate these issues are available (SKM 2001, Fairfull and Witheridge 

2003, Witheridge 2002). As a general rule, bridges and arch structures promote more natural, 

unimpeded stream flow, and light allowing the free movement of fish underneath the structure during a 

wider range of hydrological conditions (Figure D). 

Figure D. Fish friendly road crossings including a retro-fitted culvert (top-right), a new arch culvert with 

side baffles (bottom left) and retro-fitted side baffles (bottom right). (Photos: T. O’Brien) 

66 



Denil Fishway 

The Denil fishway was developed in 1909 by a Belgian scientist, G. Denil. This style of fishway uses a 

series of symmetrical close-spaced baffles in a channel to redirect the flow of water, allowing fish to 

swim around the barrier. The only Denil fishways close to Victorian waters are located on the Murray 

River at Murray River weirs such as Euston Weir and Lock 10 (Wentworth). 

Natural Bypasses Fishways 

This design looks much like a natural stream and has the ability to move all species when designed 

properly. A stream channel using natural materials is designed to bypass a barrier. It can provide 

replacement stream habitat, and can be used on any sized river but does require the most space to 

properly site it. Operation of bypass fishways can be limited by variable headwater and by their 

inherently high discharge. Only some informal fish bypasses have been constructed in SE Australia. 

Barrier removal 

Fish passage barrier removal involves either removing or modifying instream structures such as dams, 

weirs, stream gauges and road crossings that are known to block fish passage. Fish passage barrier 

removal can involve the full or partial removal of the structure and given that all fishway designs 

involve some compromise in performance (such as for small species or at certain times of the year), 

removal is the most effective method of providing for fish passage. Examples of fish passage barrier 

removal can involve the complete removal of redundant structures or replacement of culverts with free 

span crossings such as at the Cunningham Arm of Gippsland Lakes (Figure E and Figure F). 

Figure E. Cunningham Arm pre fish passage works 

(Photos: T. O’Brien) 

Figure F. Cunningham Arm post works 



Appendix H: Summary of ecological scores and overall benefit for 

cost priority 

68

Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon ...

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