Recovering the Condamine Headwaters
Over two years, Southern Queensland Landscapes will work with landowners to undertake actions on their properties that will reduce sedimentation and increase habitat in streams where blackfish persist to maintain their presence. One or more of several reaches in the Condamine Headwaters have been identified for potential target. Of these a significant portion riverine reach in Spring Creek is sought for the first year. Contingent on success and support, an additional reach (also most likely in Spring Creek) will be targeted into the second year.
Maintenance of blackfish in the Condamine Headwaters can succeed only where essential habitat for resident blackfish populations is enhanced, extended, and reconnected – by mitigating impacts of land use and sedimentation on structural and thermal habitat.
Structural habitat is impacted primarily by sediment liberated by clearing for infrastructure, agricultural/pastoral use, and other activities such as recreational 4WDing. Sediment infills streams and deep pools, diminishes protective habitat such as undercut banks and smothers rocks/logs etc. that are essential for egg laying. Decades of sedimentation dramatically alters in-stream form, rendering it uninhabitable for blackfish.
Just as sediment reduces available physical habitat, it also reduces “thermal habitat”. That is, the availability of cool zones where blackfish can retreat during extreme heat events. The predicted increase in average temperatures of 1.17°C by 2030 for the Condamine headwaters region will intensify this threat as evidenced during recent catastrophic drought conditions. Condamine Headwater flows had almost completely ceased and record temperatures triggered a blackfish rescue operation by the State of Qld in February 2020.
Previous efforts
Many historical fencing projects, regeneration and pest mitigation activities have been undertaken by proactive landowners in the Condamine Headwaters to conserve soil, protect and enhance assets. However, a dedicated fish conservation initiative of this kind has never been attempted in the headwaters. If it can successfully demonstrate that landholders can continue their operations whilst contributing to conservation, there may be scope to generate similar recovery projects and other opportunities for the community in the future.
Past research efforts on blackfish in the headwaters indicate local interest in blackfish conservation and allowed for recent sampling work to establish blackfish presence in the targeted area to proceed. Early engagement efforts also indicate a limited awareness of the plight of blackfish, and its vulnerability.
