Hundreds of Rainbow Trout, bred at Ebor, have been released into Dumaresq Dam in the last 12 months and soon fishing enthusiasts will have a new $144,000 jetty at the dam to catch them from.
Wednesday, 8 September 2021
A NEW 25-metre jetty will give anglers at Dumaresq Dam a greater chance of landing an elusive rainbow trout, with Northern Tablelands MP and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall today announcing a $144,000 State Government grant for the project.
Last year Mr Marshall announced the State Government would invest $3.9 million to transform the Armidale Regional Council-managed facility into the region’s next major ecotourism destination.
“This additional Recreational Fishing Trust grant puts the region’s fishos front and centre of the Dumaresq Dam redevelopment,” Mr Marshall said.
“Over the last 18 months hundreds of rainbow trout, bred at the NSW DPI’s Dutton Trout Hatchery at Ebor, have been released into Dumaresq Dam, as part of the State Government’s Noah’s Ark restocking program.
“There soon will be no secret as to where the best fishing spot at the dam is, with an accessible jetty giving anglers, of all levels of mobility, uninterrupted access to the water.
“Disability compliant access paths will connect the car park and jetty. Work is expected to start in the first half of 2022.
“This particular project is the result of consultation with the Guyra, St Kilda (Armidale) and Uralla Fishing Clubs, which all see it as a way to promote the region as a premier inland fishing destination.
“Located only eight kilometres from Armidale, there is no reason the banks of the reservoir should not to be packed with people all-year-round.
“I anticipate with the jetty and redevelopment complete, Dumaresq Dam will become a tourism destination that has the ability to inject thousands of dollars into the visitor economy annually.”
The Dumaresq Dam Redevelopment Plan Stage 1 includes contemporary amenities and covered picnic shelters with electric barbecues catering for families and small groups.
The Plan also includes a new entrance design with paved internal roads, sealed parking spaces and restricted camp site area.
Mr Marshall said a new round of Recreational Fishing Trust grants had now opened and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) would accept applications until Friday, 15 October.
“This is your licence fees at work, so if you’ve got an idea then please, get your application in and take advantage of this available funding,” he said.
“More than $17 million will be invested into fishing projects, including for fish aggregating devices, fish stockings, offshore artificial reefs, habitat restoration projects, as well as education programs.”
Grants are available for both large projects valued at more than $10,000 in funding and small projects involving less than $10,000. Joint saltwater and freshwater projects are also encouraged.
Funding guidelines and application forms for the next round of the Recreational Fishing Trusts grants are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and, DPI Fisheries can be contacted on (02) 4916 3835 or by emailing recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au