Fish sampling has identified the endangered Mary River cod using a fishway at the CleanCo-owned Berries Lagoon weir on the Bremer River in Ipswich, six years after the fishway was built.

Spanning 90 metres in length, this rock-ramp fishway was designed to restore fish passage past the weir, re-establishing connectivity between upstream and downstream reaches of the Bremer River.

This connection is important for many native species – including the endangered Mary River cod – which rely on unimpeded access to upstream breeding grounds and nursery habitats to support healthy populations. Restoring a top native predator like the Mary River cod will help strengthen river health by keeping invasive fish species such as Tilapia in check.

The Berries Lagoon fishway was built by Catchment Solutions in 2018. More recently, CleanCo has partnered with the Somerset and Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association to release Mary River cod fingerlings into local waterways such as Bundamba Creek and the Bremer River.

After five years of re-stocking cod into Ipswich waterways, this was the first time the migratory species had been observed navigating the fishway. It’s a major win for native fish conservation.

Along with the Mary River cod, fish sampling conducted at Berries Lagoon in September found Australian bass and Sea mullet were also using the fishway – important recreational and indigenous fish species.

CleanCo’s Berries Lagoon Weir allows for an offtake of water from the Bremer River into Swanbank Cooling Water Dam, which supports operations at our gas-fired power station. CleanCo continues to manage the weir carefully to balance energy and environmental outcomes.

We’re proud to play a part in local conservation efforts. Seeing the species now migrating through the fishway is a powerful sign that our partnerships and persistence are making a real difference.