Hugh Schuitemaker, Murray Pioneer

Upgrade works taking place at infrastructure along a major local creek is set to benefit native fish species and Riverland outdoor enthusiasts.

The Department of Environment and Water (DEW) recently commenced upgrade works on Bookmark Creek infrastructure.

DEW program delivery manager Sarah Murphy said community support behind the project was at a high level.

“We awarded the contract a few months ago, and there’s been a planning phase underway making sure all the relevant approvals”¦ are in place,” Ms Murphy said.

“We kicked off on-ground works a (few) weeks ago, and things are starting to get into full swing, which is very exciting to see.” Ms Murphy said upgrades to flow regulating infrastructure, and the Nelwart Street Bridge, would benefit fish species and local recreationists.

“The biggest piece of work is happening at what we call the inlet regulator, which is adjacent to Jane Eliza Estate,” she said.

“(It’s) replacing the old piece of infrastructure that’s there at the moment, to better open that up for increased flows, which is really beneficial for large-bodied native fish.

“(It improves) fish passage through the structure”¦ as well as access for canoes and kayaks to pass around the structure, which brings in that community and recreational benefit.

“Upgrading the Nelwart Street bridge is again beneficial for flows down the creek, (and) fish movement, and there’s real improvement to the trafficability of that bridge for local farmers and industry.” 

Ms Murphy said creating improved conditions for native fish to travel the creek was a priority of the project.

“Bookmark Creek is a unique creek, in the fact it bypasses Lock 5, so we have about a 3m difference in water level from the upstream end to the downstream end, which is able to achieve fast-flowing conditions within the creek,” she said.

“Large-bodied fish species like the Murray cod really enjoy (that). It’s important for their breeding and survival, and those conditions are not overly common elsewhere in the main river system, other than a few isolated pockets throughout the South Australian reach of the river.

“That’s a really key benefit, and one of the key features of the Sustaining Riverland Environments program was about trying to achieve outcomes for native fish species.” 

Ms Murphy said locals and visitors to the area would be able to travel the entire length of Bookmark Creek, using a canoe or kayak, once works were completed.

“Theoretically, once the two new pieces of infrastructure are in place, it would be possible to navigate, via canoe or kayak, the whole way,” she said.

“It will provide that connectivity from one end to the other.”

This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 6 November 2024.