This project will refurbish an existing natural rock ramp fishway at Stroud Weir on the Karuah River to a cone type fishway to improve fish passage.

Project goals

The weir and fishway are owned by MidCoast Council who are responsible for their ongoing management. The weir provides a water supply for MidCoast Council reticulated supply.

The existing full-width rock ramp fishway was constructed in 2006 using natural rock. Due to variations in rock shape and their movement following flood events and debris impact, some rock has moved in some areas of the high and low-flow sections of the fishway, reducing fish passage opportunities.

Reworking rock that has moved in the high-flow section, and replacing natural rock with prefabricated cone baffle units in the low-flow fishway will bring the fishway into line with best management practice.

Scope

The fishway is located on an area of exposed bedrock within the Karuah River, a wet environment subject to high flows and flooding. All activities should occur in low flow conditions, with water appropriately managed around the worksite. Project management should account for disruption due to high flow and flood events. Site access is via existing tracks in a suitable condition for machinery to traverse. Works will follow the attached drawings (KD180962-371H Fish Passage – Structural Design, Stroud Weir Rehabilitation MidCoast Council (7 sheets including Title sheet and notes).

Works will involve (in priority order):

1) remove internal rock from the low-flow section of the fishway and replace these with prefabricated cone type baffle units and a concrete floor,

2) construction and installation of a log debris boom at the upstream end of the fishway, and

3) reshaping some areas of rock in the high flow section of the fishway to direct water toward the low flow channel.

The 12 baffle units will be prefabricated and stored near the work site. Each baffle unit weighs 860 kilograms and can be moved into place using Swiftlift 2.4 tonne connections and chains with suitable equipment (Excavator/Backhoe).

You will be required to provide appropriate documents to inform the permitting process. The successful contractor and their subcontractors must abide by these documents and conditions within the Review of Environmental Factors (REF - to be provided on successful tender).