MEDIA RELEASE
May 25, 2011
Ref: 8/11
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN TEST RUN FOR THOMPSONS CREEK
Corangamite CMA staff will test the logistics of its threatened fish emergency response plan in
Thompsons Creek this Friday in preparation for summer.
Thompsons Creek, south of Geelong, is the home of Australia’s threatened fish species the
Yarra Pygmy Perch.
The Corangamite CMA’s Significant Fish Species Emergency Response Action Plan will test
the logistics of trucking 28,000L of water to the Thompsons Creek in emergency situations to
prevent drought refuge pools drying out.
This will improve the depth and water quality in habitat pools as a short term action to protect
threatened species.
The trial, developed in consultation with Victorian fish experts, is to counter threats to fish
survival including drought, dams and agricultural and domestic water extraction. It’s also part of
a regional program to protect the Yarra Pygmy Perch and other threatened species including
the Dwarf Galaxias.
In recent years the impact of climate change has exacerbated river level issues with reduced
flows or in some cases no flow. In these extreme circumstances the remnant pools contain a
large proportion of local fish populations.
And although there’s been higher rainfall in recent months, during summer fish habitat in
Thompson Creek can shrink to remnant pools jeopardising the survival of already vulnerable
fish.
Corangamite CMA River and Catchment Program Manager Trent Wallis said Corangamite CMA
developed the action plan to prevent priority refuge habitat pools from drying out during summer
to protect threatened fish species in emergency situations.
He said the trial would investigate the plan’s feasibility and practicality.
“It will involve delivering 28,000L into a refuge habitat pool on Thompsons Creek to check that
all of the logistics around water delivery have been considered, so that the emergency response
action plan can be quickly implemented.”
For further information contact:
Johanna Wade, Communications Manager, 5232 9116 or 0427 005 187
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority ABN: 60 355 974 029
PO Box 159, 64 Dennis Street, Colac, Victoria, 3250
t: 03 5232 9100 f: 03 5232 2759
e: info@ccma.vic.gov.au w: www.ccma.vic.gov.au