Push to fish on Ross River Dam ignites as Townsville City Council considers report

A Townsville City Council decision to open up recreational fishing on the dam is looming. Here’s why these fishos are keen to wet a line on Ross River Dam.

Local fishos Ian Moody and Graham Knight are keen to fish at the dam. Picture: Chris Burns.

Recreational fishos are urging the Townsville City Council to permit fishing at Ross River Dam, which they say would be a boost to economy and liveability.

The council will consider the findings of a report into fishing at the dam at this month’s council meeting, and present it to the community at a meeting at Townsville Stadium next Monday, November 27.

Division 10 candidate Brady Ellis has championed the cause, and has called out to the community to attend the meeting, to demonstrate to the council the strong community interest in allowing fishing at the dam.

“I can really see this becoming something that puts Townsville on the map,” he said.

“It brings money into the economy, and it’s just a great fun thing to get kids outdoors and get them fishing.

Brady and Lily Ellis with Sophie, 16 months. They are heavily supportive of allowing fishing in Ross River Dam. Picture: Chris Burns.

“Every kid that’s out fishing isn’t stealing a car or causing a menace, so it’s a good healthy habit we can get into.”

Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group president Rhyce Bullimore said he backed any political candidate, including Mr Ellis, that supported fishing in the dam.

He said the council had been financially supportive of the group’s efforts to stock the dam with 130,000 fingerlings within the past five years, but that there had been no progress in that time in regards to fishing.

Rhyce Bullimore, president of the Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group. Picture: Chris Burns.

Mr Bullimore said the social and economic impact of allowing fishing would be “absolutely monstrous” because of how it would allow Townsville to be included among a chain of fishing competitions, allowing fishos to stop in the city and pay for accommodation, food, and fuel.

Wulguru fisho Graham Knight said allowing Townsville to be included among these competitions was a “huge thing”, even at an international level.

“They really need to leap forward and get this going,” he said.

“But short term pain for long term gains.

“We’re going to get a long term gain out of this, if managed correctly.”

Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino has previously said the full extent of recreational use of the dam would need to be staged.

“The immediate opportunity is for land-based fishing with years of barramundi fingerling stocking at the dam by dedicated local groups likely to have created an exciting fishery for one of the world’s most famous sportfish,” Mr Molachino said.

“We anticipate that some of these iconic fish are nearing the coveted metre-long mark.

“Who knows what exciting opportunities this could open up for Townsville, with concepts such as the Northern Territories’ Million Dollar Fish as an example.”

Originally published as Push to fish on Ross River Dam ignites as Townsville City Council considers report