• Our new native fish farm at Arcadia is progressing well on a number of fronts. Earthworks are almost finalised with the last of the concrete sump mats to be installed once the rain stops. The rain has also bought a spring flourish of grass across the ponds that has stabilises the soil and conditioned the ponds.
• In other news, the power and bore pump have been installed and gravel tracks around the ponds will be installed shortly to provide safe all-weather vehicle access.
• We’re working on plans to repurpose an old dairy building as a quarantine and fingerling intake facility and we’re in the process of converting the old main residence to an office facility.
• We’ve selected a contractor to build a hatchery shed and concrete slab and we will be pulling electrical cable through underground conduits so we can power paddlewheel aerators over the next few weeks for the growout of Murray cod larvae.
• The recruitment process for hatchery staff has also been kicked off.
• Beyond the hatchery build, but on the same property, we’ve appointed a principal contractor to prepare detailed plans for the construction of a Visitors Centre.
• We are soon to establish a community reference group that will help shape the final design.
• The Visitors Centre will engage and educate the community about the amazing social, cultural and economic contribution that native fish have made and continue to make.