The project at Jemalong Weir was done in two stages. Large weeds were removed by a local contractor with the assistance of OzFish staff in early February. Local volunteers then planted the native trees to revitalise the area.

OzFish Forbes Chapter President Gavin Montgomery said the native trees are a vital food source for fish and provide additional habitat, shade and improve water quality.

If nothing was done to the invasive weeds, they would have become uncontrollable, Gavin said.

They want to help native fish to thrive in our waterways. OzFish members, and many local anglers, know better fish habitat equals more native fish and a healthier fishery.

Native trees on our riverbanks are known to provide more than 40 percent of a fishs diet through insect fall, are a natural buffer that prevents soil and other pollutants from entering the waterway, and naturally support banks to reduce erosion.

This is good for the environment, good for fishing and good for Forbes, Gavin said.

The Lachlan River is the fourth-longest river in Australia which provides a wide range of aquatic habitats for many fish species however riparian zones had deteriorated in recent years.

OzFish Project Manager for the Murray-Darling Basin, Braeden Lampard has overseen the project.

Stage one is complete, but there is more work to do. Getting involved in an OzFish chapter gives locals an opportunity to give something back to their local fish habitat.

OzFish would like to thank the local Landcare group, indigenous community members and Jemalong Irrigation for their help and support in getting this first project off the ground. We hope it will be the first of many in the area, Braeden said.

The project was funded by NSW Department of Primary Industries Recreational Fishing Trusts Habitat Action Grants and OzFishs major partner; BCF.

To join OzFish or take part in habitat restoration, visit www.ozfish.org.au or call 1800 431 308.