Snowy Hydro has partnered with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to expand captive breeding of the endangered Macquarie perch.
Through the Snowy 2.0 Threatened Fish Management Plan, Snowy Hydro has funded the construction of eight new purpose-built aquaculture ponds at Narrandera Fisheries Centre.
This funding will allow for the reintroduction of the species into protected habitats and boost genetic diversity in locations including in the upper Murrumbidgee River below Tantangara reservoir.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes said Snowy Hydro was committed to environmental stewardship while building Australia’s largest renewable energy project.
“We are pleased to work collaboratively with NSW DPIRD Fisheries to carry out the associated monitoring and research that will improve the resilience of Macquarie Perch in both the catchments where Snowy 2.0 will operate and also across the state,” Mr Barnes said.
“Beyond delivering positive environmental outcomes, Snowy 2.0, with a design life of 150 years, will underpin Australia’s clean energy future by storing excess wind and solar power and delivering it to homes and businesses across the grid when it’s needed most.”
