Anglers Access - Meander River

By Tim Farrell  of the IFS
Tasmania’s Northern rivers enjoy a reputation as one of the State’s premier trout fishing areas. The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) and Anglers Alliance Tasmania are implementing an Anglers Access project on the Meander River that will enhance this reputation. The project follows successful projects completed on the River Leven, Brumbys Creek and the Lake and Macquarie rivers.

The Meander River project is particularly timely with many reports of improved fish numbers and size since the completion of the Meander Dam and resultant increases in summer flows. The combination of great fishing in the newly created Huntsman Lake, nearby Brushy Lagoon and Four Springs Lake provides another significant recreation and tourism opportunity for the Meander Valley region. Funding from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program, in kind support from Mersey NRM Services and the Meander Valley Council have made the project possible.

Green Jobs Corp participants Scott and Aaron and instructor Paul Shakes installing a fence crossing on the Meander River


Tasmania’s Northern rivers enjoy a reputation as one of the State’s premier trout fishing areas. The Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) and Anglers Alliance Tasmania are implementing an Anglers Access project on the Meander River that will enhance this reputation. The project follows successful projects completed on the River Leven, Brumbys Creek and the Lake and Macquarie rivers.

The Meander River project is particularly timely with many reports of improved fish numbers and size since the completion of the Meander Dam and resultant increases in summer flows. The combination of great fishing in the newly created Huntsman Lake, nearby Brushy Lagoon and Four Springs Lake provides another significant recreation and tourism opportunity for the Meander Valley region.

Anglers Access involves landowners, anglers, natural resource management groups, Councils and the community in improving foot access to the river up and downstream from existing bridges and river crossings through negotiated agreements, improved riparian management and installation of appropriate infrastructure such as stiles over fences, footbridges, tracks, steps, gates and information and warning signs. On the completion of each project a brochure containing a high quality map with all the access locations and angling information is published and made available through tackle shops, visitor information centres and the IFS website.

Funding from the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program, in kind support from Mersey NRM Services and the Meander Valley Council have made the project possible.

Much of the ‘on the ground’ work for this project has been completed by participants in the National Green Jobs Corp. an Australian Government initiative. Participants are undertaking environmental training learning skills in weed management, riparian works and practical skills such as chainsaw operation and fencing. Anglers Access provides an ideal training environment for the participants.

So far the project has involved the installation of over 25 fence stiles and crossings, dozens of electric fence insulators, warning and information signs, steps, gates and paths and tracks cut between Hadspen and Meander providing foot access to approximately 30km of river. Work will be completed in February 2011.

The project would not have been possible without the involvement and cooperation of over 20 individual landowners and their families who have agreed to participate in the project.

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