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: [email protected]

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.

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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).

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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.

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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 St George River (upstream of GOR) Gellibrand River (Lyness Road) Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) Gellibrand River at Clancys Access (old Thompsons Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) stream gauge)) Gellibrand River (downstream of Stevensons Falls (stream gauge))

2. High Ecological and Good Benefit for cost barriers

Barwon River (Lower Barrage) Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) Thompsons Ck (Minya Farm) East Barham River (Barham River Road (stream gauge)) Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway (stream gauge))

3. Good Ecological and High Benefit for Cost Barriers

Waurn Ponds Ck (20 m d/s from Grassy Ck (x 3) Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd (stream footbridge) gauge and fishway) Cumberland River Waurn Ponds Ck (Natika Crt) Curdies River (Trestle bridge gauge & fishway)

4. Good Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers

St George River (50m downstream of Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m upstream Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) bridge) Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 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 Painkalac Creek (downstream of Old Yahoo Ck (old stream gauge) * Param St) Coach Rd) Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream Waurn Ponds Ck (Param St) Carisbrook Ck (upstream of GOR ) gauge)) Waurn Ponds Ck (downstream of Pioneer Scotts Creek (upstream of Murfitts Road) Road)

Thompsons Ck (Ghazepore (stream gauge)) Thompsons Ck ( u/s of Anglesea Rd)

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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

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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

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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

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(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.

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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)

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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.

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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 pro- forma (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.

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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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

(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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 7

Table 1: Fish Barrier Prioritisation Calculation Criteria andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous,

andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower

Modified from O’Brien et. al. 2006

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

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).

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 9

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

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 5th 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 6th priority overall, followed by Horseshoe Bend (7th priority overall), Ghazepore stream gauge (12th), Ghazepore Road (13th), and upstream of Anglesea Road (15th). 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 8th to 10th. 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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 15

16 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, Table 2: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson catchments

Barwon River (Lower Barrage) Barwon River (ReedyLake regulator) Barwon River (Buckleys Falls Fishway and weir) Barwon River (BaumFishway Weir (streamgauge)) (streamgauge)) Rd. Pollocksford m u/s Barwon River (400 Armstrong Ck (Cnr Lake Rd ) Armstrong Ck (AirportRd) ArmstrongCk Sth branch(Ghazepore Rd) Armstrong Ck, Nth branch (Ghazepore Rd) Waurn Ponds Ck(Param St, Grovedale u/sbridge) Waurn Ponds Ck(Param St, Grovedale) Waurn Ponds Ck(Natika Crt) Waurn Ponds Ck(20 d/s from m footbridge) Waurn Ponds Ck(Jarvis Rd causeway ) Waurn Ponds Ck(rock shuted/s privatecauseway) Waurn Ponds Ck(Private ford1) Waurn Ponds Ck(Private ford2) (Davies))Ck (LowerYarram weir (Mason)) weir (Lower Ck Yarram Yarram Ck (Middle weir (Mason)) YarramCk (Upper(Mason)) weir Yarram Ck (Rail bridge d/s Banks Rd) Yarram Ck (Banks Rd) Ck (u/sYarram Banks Rd) (Banks Rd) Ck (NE trib)Yarram 1 (Banks Rd) Ck (NE trib)Yarram 2 YarramCk (NE trib)(Knights 3 Lane) Yarram Ck (NE trib) 4 (Swan Bay Rd) ThompsonsCk (Minya Farm) Thompsons Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) ThompsonsCk ( Ghazepore) Rd ThompsonsCk ( Ghazepore (stream gauge)) ThompsonsCk ( d/sof Anglesea Rd) Thompsons Ck ( Pettavel Rd ) 1: Fish community recorded (and expected)

Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5)1515151515000055555550000000000001055555 andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower Native fish diversity (5) 15151010105555101010105555101010101055555515105555 Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (3)12121212128444121212884448888844444412128844

Sub-total (max = 42) 4242373737139992727272318141491818181818999999372718181414

2: Barrier location and relative size

Stream Order (5) 151015151555555555555555555555555101010101010

Total proportion of stream obstructed (4)124121284444121212128888888844444441288884

Other upstream or downstream barriers (3)3000903000000333300000000000330000

Fish access through drownout (3) 6666363333369966666669396666633663

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 84444444444440044440000000888844

Habitat quality (4) 8888844444444440044444004444888884

Flow and migration potential (Su/Au and Wi/Sp) 12 12 12 12 12 4 4 4 4 12 12 12 12 8 8 8844444400000844444

Sub-total (max = 36) 32322824241212121220202020161688121212128404444242020201612

Total (Max =123) 110949894964036333367677069595244394949494944252728282828927159625443 Ecological Priority 14243242627271010891316212517171717213433292929296713121523

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

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 6th and the stream gauge downstream from Allenvale Road ranked equal 8th 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 2nd and equal 6th (‘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 3rd 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 11th most important. The relatively small barriers on Grassy Creek were ranked 4th, and equal 8th 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 4th 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 15th highest priority, while the Skenes Creek barrier equal 13th 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.

18 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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) PainkalacCreek (d/s Old CoachRd) DistilleryCreek (Old Coach Rd) DistilleryCreek (Bambrae Rd) Moggs Ck (Boyd Ave) CoalmineCk (Off Moggs CkRd) Fairhaven Ck (GOR) GrassyCk (Inside Geoff property #1) GrassyCk (Inside Geoff property #2) GrassyCk (Inside Geoff property #4) Anderson’s Ck (GOR) Anderson’sCk Nth Branch(GOR) Anderson’sCk (Old GOR,20m u/s of other) Reedy Ck (u/sGOR, ) 20m Erskine River (700md/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) Rd) (Allenvale trib) G R. (St Ck Tree Cherry Cumberland River (30m u/s GOR) ) GOR (u/s Ck Carisbrook Skenes Ck (Farm u/s GOR ) Skenes Ck (‘Constantia’ farm u/s GOR) Beauty Gully (Conns Lane) Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) Anderson Creek(Andersons CkDam) East BarhamRiver (Barham River Road(stream gauge)) East BarhamRiver (Barham River Road- Oldenzaal) East Barham River (Farrington) BarhamWest River (Downstream of town supply weir (x13)) BarhamWest River (Town supply weir) Elliot River (Elliot River Road) Rd) Valley (Aire River Aire 1: Fish community recorded (and expected) Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5) 00010101000001010015151500001515151501515151501001515151515015

Native fish diversity (5) 105 5 1510105 105 5 10105 1010105 5 5 105 1510105 1515101010105 15101010105 10 andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (4) 8 8 8 88861244884121212444810121212412888884121288848 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

2: Barrier location and relative size Stream Order (5) 5551010101010555551010105555101010105101010105101010101010101015 Total proportion of stream obstructed (4) 12881212121212881281212121288880128888412128888848484 Other upstream or downstream barriers (3) 300000030099000000090000009009000000009 Fish access through drownout (3) 3 9 9 333333333963399999339333693996930960 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

3: Habitat quality and availability

Floodplain connectivity (4) 400121212884444044400044444044448848444444

Habitat quality (4) 4 4 4 888888888888888881212128128444488888881212

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 88881212121212812121212121212121212121212

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 3038383 1111272236361724314 8 8 33333325201 8 6 32151317132615292 6 222119284

Photo reference (Appendix C:) abcde f gh i j k lmnopq,rst uvwxy,zABCDEFGHI JKL,MNOP

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

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 4thpriority. 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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 19

20 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, Table 4: Ecological Prioritisation of Fish Barriers in Western Otways streams (to Curdies River)

Carmichael Creek (Plantation Road) (Plantation Creek Carmichael Road) (Loch River Sherbrook bridge) u/s 10m Rd Pits Ck (Sand Chapple Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd gauge and fishway) Tk) (Morris Branch Ck South Chapple Gellibrand River (Lyness Road - Nth Otway pumping station) gauge)) stream (old Access Clancys d/s (200m River Gellibrand gauge)) (stream Falls Stevensons (d/s River Gellibrand Boggy Ck (Carlisle Rd) Rd) River (Gellibrand River Carlisle Cole Ck (Tuckers Orchard Rd) First Ck ( Water catchment weir) Arkins Ck west branch ( Water catchment weir) Arkins Ck east branch ( Water catchment weir) gauge)) Stream Rd East (Gellibrand Ck Lardners Yahoo Ck (Gellibrand – Colac Rd (old stream gauge)) Serpentine Ck (McDonalds Rd ) Ten Mile Creek (Cashins Rd ) guage)) (stream Rd (Cashins Creek Mile Ten ) Rd Cashins off (PA Creek Mile Ten gauge)) (stream Rd Ck (McDonalds Porcupine Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd) Rd) (Brumbys Ck Squirrel Farm) Delaney (Tom Creek Spring Rd) (Crofts Creek Spring #2) Crossing (Walkers trib Creek Spring Crossing) (Walkers Creek Spring Rd) Campbell Creek (D/S Curdievale-Port Spring fishway) & gauge bridge (Trestle River Curdies Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream gauge)) gauge)) stream (old Rd Murfitts u/s (20m Creek Scotts Lane) Cowen's of (End Creek A'Becketts d/s) Ck 20m Rd (Williams Cooriemungle Cobden Ck (Adjacent to Cobden Sewerage Treatment Facility) Rd) - Cobden (Camperdown Ck Cobden

1: Fish community recorded (and expected) andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower Threatened fish - migratory requirements (5) 0 0 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 10 00001000000000000005550000 Native fish diversity (5) 1010101010101010101055551055555551515101010101010105555 Non-threatened fish - migratory requirements (4)8881281288884444844444441212128888884444 Sub-total (max = 42) 1818283228322828182899992899999992727221818182323239999

2: Barrier location and relative size Stream Order (5) 551010101515151015555510555555551010510101510105555 Total proportion of stream obstructed (4) 88444884444444844444444880848444444

Other upstream or downstream barriers (3) 939999633336666660000030000096612633

Fish access through drownout (3) 63660363636999963333336666663669663

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

3: Habitat quality and availability

Floodplain connectivity (4) 44444444444444444444448844404000000

Habitat quality (4) 88888888480121212484888440444848844444

Flow and migration potential (Su/Au and Wi/Sp)12121212121212121212888812121212121212128444441212128121212

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 1014539127147351919195222427272731311412173117254111323253034

Photo reference (Appendix D:) abcdefghi jklm,no,pqrstuvwxyz,ABCDEFGHIJK,LM

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

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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 re- construct 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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

Eastern Otways (to Aire River catchment) The benefit for cost assessment for the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Creek region is provided in Table 7. 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 16th and equal 17th 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 15thto 23rd 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) The benefit for cost assessment for the lower Barwon, Bellarine and Thompson Creek region is provided in Table 8. 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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research

24 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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)) (stream (400Barwon River gauge))Rd. m u/s Pollocksford Armstrong Ck(CnrRd Lake ) Armstrong Ck(Airport Rd) Armstrong(Ghazepore Ck branchSth Rd) Armstrong Ck,branch(Ghazepore Nth 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 ) Ck(rock PondsWaurn chute d/s private causeway) Ck(Private PondsWaurn ford 1) Ck(Private PondsWaurn ford 2) Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Davies)) Yarram Ck (Lower weir (Mason)) Yarram Ck weir(Middle (Mason)) Yarram Ck (Upper weir (Mason)) bridge d/sCk BanksRd)Yarram (Rail Yarram Ck (Banks Rd) Rd) Ck Banks (u/s Yarram Rd) 1 (Banks trib) Ck (NE Yarram Rd) 2 (Banks trib) Ck (NE Yarram CkLane) Yarram trib) 3 (Knights (NE Rd) Bay 4 (Swan trib) Ck (NE Yarram Thompsons Farm) (Minya Ck Thompsons Ck (HorseshoeRd) Bend Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore) Rd Thompsons Ck ( Ghazepore(stream gauge)) Thompsons Ck ( u/s Rd) of Anglesea 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 of the Lower Barwon River andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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 161722176 132123232 109 1 155 12142525252520293432323030197 114 3 8

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

Jan Juc Ck (Clubhouse Rd) JanJuc Ck (Dam wall nth SunsetStrip) Jan Juc Ck (Bells Beach Rd) Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) Anglesea River (u/sRd Hall in mine) Anglesea River (Insidemine (old stream gauge)) Anglesea River (Alcoa Boundary Tk) Painkalac Creek (d/sOldCoach Rd) Distillery Creek (Old Coach Rd) Distillery Creek (Bambrae Rd) MoggsCk (Boyd Ave) Coalmine Ck (Off Moggs Ck Rd) Fairhaven Ck (GOR) Grassy Ck (Inside Geoff property #1) Grassy Ck (Inside Geoff property #2) Grassy Ck (Inside Geoff property #4) Anderson’s Ck(GOR) Anderson’s Ck Nth Branch (GOR) Anderson’s Ck(Old GOR, 20m u/s of other) ReedyCk (u/s GOR,) 20m ErskineRiver (700m d/s Erskine Falls) GeorgeSt River (u/sGOR) GeorgeSt River (50md/s Allenvale (old Rdstream gauge)) GeorgeSt River (Allen Reservoir) Cherry Tree Ck (St G R. trib) (Allenvale Rd) Cumberland River (30mu/s GOR) ) GOR (u/s Ck Carisbrook SkenesCk (Farm u/s GOR) SkenesCk (‘Constantia’ farm u/s GOR) BeautyGully (Conns Lane) Anderson Creek (Montrose Ave) Anderson Creek (Andersons CkDam) East Barham River (Barham River Road(stream gauge)) East Barham River (Barham River Road- Oldenzaal) (Farrington) River Barham East West BarhamRiver (Downstream of town supplyweir (x13)) WestRiver Barham (Town supply weir) Elliot River (ElliotRiver Road) Rd) Valley (Aire River Aire 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 3632202323157 26261112373 4 4 3434303129106 38222 1 18161325398 212819331714

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier 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 (SandPits Rd 10m u/s bridge) Kennedys Creek (Macintyres Rd gauge and fishway) Chapple Ck South Branch(Morris Tk) GellibrandRiver (Lyness Road - Nth Otway pumping station) GellibrandRiver (200m d/s ClancysAccess (old streamgauge)) Gellibrand River (d/s Stevensons Falls (stream gauge)) Boggy Ck(Carlisle Rd) Carlisle River (Gellibrand River Rd) Cole Ck (Tuckers Orchard Rd) weir) catchment Ck ( Water First Arkins Ck west branch ( Water catchment weir) ArkinsCk east branch ( Watercatchment weir) LardnersCk (Gellibrand Eastgauge)) Rd Stream 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(stream Rd gauge)) Porcupine Ck (McDonalds Rd) Rd) (Brumbys Ck Squirrel Spring CreekDelaney (Tom Farm) Rd) (Crofts Creek Spring Spring Creek trib (WalkersCrossing #2) Spring Creek (WalkersCrossing) Spring CreekCurdievale-Port (D/S Campbell Rd) Curdies River (Trestlebridge fishway) gauge & Scotts Creek (Digneys Bridge (stream gauge)) ScottsCreek (20m u/s Murfitts Rd (oldstream gauge)) A'Becketts Creek (EndCowen's of Lane) Cooriemungle Ck(Williams20m Rd d/s) Cobden Ck (Adjacent to CobdenSewerage 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 andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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

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

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams 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 cut- out 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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 27 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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 St George River (upstream of GOR) Gellibrand River (Lyness Road) Pollocksford Rd. (stream gauge)) Gellibrand River at Clancys Access (old Thompson Ck (Horseshoe Bend Rd) stream gauge)) Gellibrand River (downstream of Stevensons Falls (stream gauge))

2. High Ecological and Good Benefit for cost barriers

Barwon River (Lower Barrage) Anglesea River (Coalmine Rd) Thompson Ck (Minya Farm) East Barham River (Barham River Road (stream gauge)) Barwon River (Reedy Lake regulator) Barwon River (Baum Weir Fishway (stream gauge))

3. Good Ecological and High Benefit for Cost Barriers

4. Good Ecological and Good Benefit for Cost Barriers St George River (50m downstream of Chapple Ck (Sand Pits Rd 10m upstream Allenvale Rd (old stream gauge)) bridge) Aire River (Aire Valley Rd) 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

Thompson Ck (Ghazepore (stream gauge)) Thompson Ck ( u/s of Anglesea Rd)

28 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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). (Estimated Total $70K) 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) (Estimated Total $170K) 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)

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 29 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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) (Estimated Total $40K) 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) (Estimated Total $225K) 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) (Estimated Total $90K) 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) (Estimated Total $210K) 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) (Estimated Total $110K) Higher Priority tasks for further down the track 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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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) (Estimated Total $35K) 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) (Estimated Total $80K) 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) (Estimated Total $30K) Higher Priority tasks for further down the track K. Boggy Ck (Carlisle Rd) Creek (Rock ramp refurbishment) (~$10K) L. Sherbrook River (Loch Road) (new box culvert fishway) (~$40K)

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 31 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 33 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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.

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 35 Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation of the Lower Barwon River and Otways Streams

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

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

Appendix B: Barwon River Catchment Fish Barriers

a b

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.

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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.

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

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.

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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.

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

y z

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.

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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.

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Appendix C: East Otway Streams Fish Barriers

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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y z

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.

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E F

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.

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

K L

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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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;

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y z

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.

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

E F

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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research

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K L

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).

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Appendix E: Summary details and assessments of all fish barriers andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier

Site Details Fish species Stream size and quality Barrier details Comments

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous,

Waterway Name Site Name Zone Easting Northing Priority Australian grayling Dwarf galaxias Australian mudfish species Estuarine 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) andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower

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.

Stream is blocked. Erosion d/s. Remove dam, install fishway d/s, control 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 erosion. Obselete outlet pipe and tap evident.

Major height barrier. Remove, install box culvert with low flow channel, 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 and bridge. Control erosion d/s.

Height barrier. Blockage d/s requires maintenance. Requires erosion 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 blocks d/s.

andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier

Site Details Fish species Stream size and quality Barrier details Comments

Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, Waterway Name Waterway Site Name Zone Easting Northing Priority grayling Australian galaxias Dwarf mudfish Australian species Estuarine order Stream from mouth Distance km opened obstructed % stream d/s barriers Other condition Instream condition Riparian RHS ISC potential out Drown availability Water 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 of the Lower Barwon River andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower

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 59 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

60 Site Details Fish species Stream size and quality Barrier details Comments andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier

Waterway Name Site Name Zone Easting Northing Priority Australian grayling Dwarf galaxias Australian mudfish Estuarine species Stream order mouthDistance from km opened % stream obstructed Other barriers d/s conditionInstream Riparian condition RHS ISC Drown out potential Water availability Height Width Length Slope Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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

very large reservoir at top of system. Landowner prposed to purchase 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

from Barwon Water andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower

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

extra 5-6m rock at bottom to improve gradient, capable of small fish 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 passage only

Site Details Fish species Stream size and quality Barrier details Comments Instream Barrier Assessment and Prioritisation andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier

Name Waterway Site Name Zone Easting Northing Priority grayling Australian galaxias Dwarf mudfish Australian species Estuarine order Stream from mouth Distance km opened obstructed % stream d/s barriers Other condition Instream condition Riparian RHS ISC potential out Drown availability Water Height Width Length Slope 11 (22 inc. Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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 andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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

Adjacent to Cobden Sewerage Treatment Cobden Ck 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 Facility

Large town dam, expensive to rectify. Heavily modified with stream 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 diversion.

Appendix F: Details of other site inspections not considered to represent fish barriers andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Width Length Waterbody Location Zone Easting Northing Structure Type Structure purpose Height (m) 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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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 andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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

Width Length andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Waterbody Location Zone Easting Northing Structure Type Structure purpose Height (m) Headloss (m) Comments (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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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 of the Lower Barwon River andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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 Barham River Road 54 728098 5709416 Wood and steel bridge private access East Barham River Barham River Road 54 728339 5709550 Wood and steel bridge private access 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

Width Length andPrioritisation Assessment Instream Barrier Waterbody Location Zone Easting Northing Structure Type Structure purpose Height (m) Headloss (m) Comments (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 Environous, Kingfisher Research & Rylah Institute for Environmental Research forEnvironmental &RylahInstitute Research Kingfisher Environous, 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 of the Lower Barwon River andOtwaysStreams BarwonRiver of theLower 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

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

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. Figure B. Full width rock ramp fishway constructed in (Photo: I. Stuart) 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.

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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 m3). 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)

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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 Figure F. Cunningham Arm post works (Photos: T. O’Brien)

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Appendix H: Summary of ecological scores and overall benefit for cost priority

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