The North East Catchment Management Authority (CMA) will restore habitat for the endangered Macquarie perch in the Livingstone Creek at Omeo with $962,000 from the Victorian Government’s Nature Fund.

This project aligns with a goal included in the Protecting Victoria’s Environment - Biodiversity 2037 plan that “Victoria’s natural environment is healthy”. The plan aims to stop the overall decline of threatened species, securing the greatest possible number of species in the wild, and improving the overall extent and condition of native habitats across land, waterways, coasts and seas.  

Bringing back the Maccas to Livingstone Creek is one of a number of projects supported through $6.1 million in co-investment from North East CMA (through the State Government Waterway Health Program), Greening Australia, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Arthur Rylah Institute and the Australian Government’s Murray Darling Healthy Rivers program.

Livingstone Creek sustained extensive damage as a result of six flood events between November 2021 and March 2022. Restoring habitat for the endangered Macquarie perch along the creek will see the installation of in stream habitat; fencing and revegetation to provide shade and shelter for the species. The Victorian Fisheries Authority will undertake fish surveys, brood stock collection from Lake Dartmouth and translocation of fish into Livingstone Creek

Macquarie Perch (“Maccas") are a large-bodied native fish within the Murray Darling Basin. Once hailed as one of the most numerous of our native fish species, declines over their entire range since European settlement has reduced them to a small number of fragmented populations scattered across north east Victoria and south eastern NSW.

As a tributary of the Upper Mitta Mitta River, the Livingstone Creek shares a connection with the largest, self-sustaining population of Maccas in the Murray Darling Basin in Lake Dartmouth. Creating conditions that are suitable for both spawning and the survival of newly recruited fish, is fundamental to the long-term resilience of the Dartmouth population.  

Manager Program Implementation with the CMA, Kelly Behrens, said: “This is a great opportunity to restore habitat for this endangered species. Critical to the success of the project will be the partnership between the CMA, landholders and the Victorian Fishing Authority”.  

For more information contact Kelly Behrens on 0427 351 411 or kelly.behrens@necma.vic.gov.au 

Picture: Livingstone Creek sustained extensive damage as a result of six flood events between November 2021 and March 2022. Work will soon get underway to restore habitat for the endangered Macquarie perch.