Ross River Dam is officially opened for fishing: Townsville City Council
Barramundi measuring more than a metre long are on offer as, after a long wait for fishos, the Ross River Dam is officially opened.
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Barramundi measuring more than a metre long are on offer as the Ross River Dam is officially opened for fishing.
“After years of debate, consultation and more recently construction, the Ross River Dam is now open to land-based recreational fishing,” Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said.
“We heard our community loud and clear, so in August last year councillors voted to open the dam to recreational land-based fishing, originally set to open mid-year, I’m so pleased we could open it up six weeks ahead of schedule.”
Ms Greaney said it was a momentous day for the fishing community who had been rallying for permission to fish the dam for at least ten years.
Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group’s Rhyce Bullimore said it had put its first barra in the dam about eight years ago.
“I’m really looking forward to taking my two boys up for a fish, and just somewhere different to fish and give families somewhere to go and enjoy the great community asset that has the potential to unlock so many great benefits,” he said.
“I’m extremely pleased, and I think there are massive economic, tourism and community benefits for the city by unlocking all three levels of recreational use.”
Mr Bullimore said the group had stocked more than 120,000 barramundi in the dam.
“In my opinion about 50 percent of the fish that survived from our stockings would be over a metre, for those who want to tick that off their bucket list.”
Councillor Kristian Price said the fishing opportunity was a “long time coming”.
“Growing up in the Upper Ross I know the untapped potential of the area, so it’s so great to see this project come to life and to be able to finally cast a line off the fishing spit,” he said.
“I can’t wait to see our community up here enjoying themselves and creating memories.”
He urged people to “respect the space and the facilities”.
“If we want to see further stages of recreational use on the dam in years to come, we need to make sure people are being respectful around our city’s water source.”
Councillor Brady Ellis said the dam catered to all levels of fishing ability, “from our mad-keen anglers, to families casting their first line, it’s free, it’s fun and it gets people out and active”.
“Hopefully with the community’s cooperation we will be able to implement further stages of recreational use of Ross River Dam in the years to come.”
Stages 2 and 3 will be reliant on safe and respectful use of the facilities and Townsville City Council securing external funding for the required infrastructure to support the expansion of recreation on the dam in years to come.
The dam is open to recreational land-based fishing from the designated fishing area from Monday.
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Originally published as Ross River Dam is officially opened for fishing: Townsville City Council
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