The Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group is made up of dedicated volunteers who work with community groups to restore and enhance the lagoons system in Deniliquin, NSW. The natural lagoon system is a unique feature of Deniliquin, meandering its way through the township, eventually connecting to the Edward River.
In 2010, members of the Edward Wakool Angling Association recognised the need to restore and enhance the lagoons to increase biodiversity and fish habitat and provide a breeding ground for threatened fish species including southern pigmy perch, purple-spotted gudgeon, olive perchlet and eel-tailed Catfish. This led to the development of the Deniliquin Lagoons Restoration Project, and ultimately to the formation of the Deniliquin Kolety Lagoons Landcare Group.
Overseeing the Deniliquin Lagoons Restoration Project is the main activity for the group. This wetland revegetation and rehabilitation involves the removal of European carp and silt removal, installation of fish habitat, stocking native threatened fish species and installing casting and viewing decks, tables and bench seating. Education is also a focus of this project with the creation of an Aboriginal cultural learning space, development of educational resources on fish habitat, environmental values and Aboriginal cultural values.
The group’s volunteers have been running a school engagement project with Deniliquin High School Year 10 students since 2017. Students learn about the functionality of wetland eco-systems, history of the lagoons and the fish, plant and animal species present. The students also undertake fish and water quality monitoring, infrastructure projects and assist in the rehabilitation of the banks of the Edward/Kolety River.
Recent major achievements for the group include the release of threatened eel-tailed Catfish into the Edward/ Kolety River made possible through the money raised by the inaugural 2023 Edward/ Kolety Fishing Challenge.
Key project partners include Edward-Wakool Angling Association, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre, Edward River Council, Deniliquin High School, Ricegrowers’ Association, Murray Local Land Services and NSW Department of Fisheries.