A major environmental milestone has been reached in the Mackay–Whitsunday region, with the completion of Queensland’s largest rock fishway on Jolimont Creek, north of Mackay. Spanning over 100 metres, the newly constructed fishway now provides vital upstream passage for native fish species, overcoming a three-metre-high concrete weir that has obstructed migration for more than three decades.
Spearheaded by Mackay Regional Council and funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Guardian Councils program, the project was delivered by Catchment Solutions in partnership with Seaforth Civil, marking a significant win for regional biodiversity and waterway health.
Matt Moore, Fisheries Ecologist at Catchment Solutions, explained that approximately half of the region’s 50 freshwater fish species migrate between the sea and inland freshwater systems as part of their life cycle.
“Fish migration between marine and freshwater habitats is a key requirement for many important recreational, commercial and Indigenous fishery species and is essential to maintain sustainable fish populations,” said Mr Moore.
He highlighted several iconic species likely to benefit, including barramundi, mangrove jack, jungle perch, tarpon, and long-finned eel, along with smaller prey species such as the colourful empire gudgeon.
The fishway functions like a series of underwater stairs, allowing fish to use short bursts of energy to navigate faster-flowing sections before resting in calm pools along the way.
“Our native fish are weak swimmers and poor leapers, so it’s critical we provide conditions like low-velocity zones and deep resting pools to support their upstream journey,” Mr Moore said.
He also noted that the migration is particularly important for juvenile fish, such as young barramundi, which are just 50–100 mm in length when they travel upstream into freshwater wetlands.
“Wetlands offer stable water levels and abundant food resources, helping juvenile fish grow quickly and boosting their chances of survival when they return to saltwater to breed.”
Initial monitoring has confirmed the fishway’s success. In just five days, 15 freshwater species were recorded using the passage, with over 800 fish per day ascending the structure. Sizes ranged from just 16 mm to 750 mm.
Importantly, the monitoring also validated the effectiveness of Catchment Solutions’ innovative nursery slot design. The nursery slot creates a shallow film of water with a reduced velocity boundary layer, enabling even the smallest juvenile fish to safely navigate the fishway.
“It was fantastic to capture footage of tiny juvenile fish using the nursery slot - this size class is often missing from fishway studies on large structures,” Mr Moore added.
Local sugar cane farmer and landholder Rob Ellwood expressed optimism about the project’s impact on recreational fishing in the nearby St Helens to Cape Hillsborough Net Free Fishing Zone.
“Jolimont Creek flows into Murray Creek and into the Net Free Zone, so hopefully the fishway will increase local barramundi populations,” Mr Ellwood said.
Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed the fishway’s early success.
“In the Mackay region, we love our waterways and reef. Recreational fishing is one of the most popular ways our community connects with these environments,” Mayor Williamson said.
“It also has long-term benefits for tourism in the region as our region is well-known for its outstanding fishing,” he said.
“The new fishway will enhance these opportunities even more by helping to boost local fish stocks in the Seaforth and St Helens areas.
“We encourage locals, tourists and visitors alike to enjoy the incredible outdoor lifestyle and fishing experiences our region offers.”
Jolimont fishway is the latest waterway restoration project completed by Catchment Solutions, following similar projects on the Herbert River in Ingham and Scrubby Creek in Logan City. For more information visit www.catchmentsolutions.com.au.
Jolimont Creek rock fishway in operation during recent fish monitoring. Photo supplied
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