Bringing back the Bruns – last barrier to fish passage removed!

This is a story about the power of collaboration and the impact it can have.

Eighteen years ago, an old causeway on the Brunswick River was removed. It was the beginning of a project aimed at restoring the river's natural flow.

Over the years, four more disused causeways were removed, and two bridges were constructed, systematically opening the waterway.

This year the final piece of the puzzle was completed.

“There are 34 crossings in total along the Brunswick River. Finishing the bridge at Johnston’s Causeway is the last piece for the lower catchment, below Main Arm, opening 25 kilometres of habitat,” Senior Fisheries Manager at DPIRD Scott Nichols said.

This achievement was made possible through collective effort.

“The success of this project relied on strong collaboration between the private landholder, the council, the Department of Fisheries, and Crown Lands,” Chloe Dowsett, Byron Shire Council’s Coast, Biodiversity and Sustainability Coordinator said.

The Brunswick River flows through a narrow valley, necessitating multiple crossings for access to properties.

“From a safety perspective, the council is focused on improving these crossings, but this also brings environmental benefits by enhancing fish passage,” Mr Nichols explained.

“Fish need to move within river systems. Australian Bass live in the freshwater environment and migrate to estuaries to breed. When juvenile fish attempt to return to the freshwater, these causeways obstruct their path.”

“By addressing these structures along the Brunswick River, we’re removing barriers and allowing fish to navigate freely and thrive,” Mr Nichols said.

The project’s success is shown in the video ‘Bringing Back the Bruns’. It highlights how working together can improve natural habitats to benefit the environment and community.

This work was conducted in collaboration with Byron Shire Council, DPIRD Fisheries, Crown Lands, the landholder and Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) native title holders and traditional custodians.

Funding has been provided by the Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust’s Flagship Fish Habitat and Habitat Action Grants Programs, managed by DPIRD Fisheries, and is part of DPIRD Fisheries’ Reconnecting fish habitats project funded via the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.