Bogan Shire Council has received funding to replace a low-level crossing on the Bogan River.

The shire was the only one in the western area to receive Roads to Recovery funding.

However, the project is not as clear cut as it seems and Bogan councillors are calling for a closer look at what's being asked of the funds provided.

“This funding was received to remove and replace the existing informal low-level crossing with Box Culvert at Monkey Bridge Bypass at Bogan River, Coolabah to allow for the passage of fish,” said Mayor Glen Neill.

“This comes off an order by Fisheries Department which to be honest has council scratching its head,” he said.

“While any funding is appreciated, in this case we will be left with a shortfall that puts pressure on the council to come up with the money. 

NSW Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development (DPIRD) Fisheries welcomed the funding announcement.

“DPIRD Fisheries will work with Bogan Shire regarding the detailed design that meets related policy and guidelines to improve opportunities for fish passage at the site, before finalising a permit to carry out the work," a spokesperson said.

Bogan Shire General Manager Derek Francis with Mayor Glen Neill - Image Western Plains App.

Bogan Shire General Manager Derek Francis said discussions are ongoing around this allocated funding.

“We have been in discussions with government for some months now on the issue of the Monkey Bridge Road low level crossing to try and find a solution to a Fisheries order to remove the crossing with the assistance of Local Member Roy Butler.

“The funding allocated seems to have been because of those representations,” he said.

Independent Member for Barwon Roy Butler - Image courtesy Mr Butlers Office.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said he has been in face-to-face consultation with the Ministers office and Fisheries to assist Bogan Shire with this issue.

“The crossing has been in place for decades and a fisheries demand on Bogan Shire Council is unreasonable and unfair,” said Mr Butler.

“The crossing is in place to get agricultural equipment across the bridge, so the crossing is there by necessity.

“The crossing itself has two round pipes, which Fisheries are of the opinion that the fish, namely the Olive Perchlet, don’t like swimming through, asking them to be replaced by square pipes.

 “The council has been successfully seeking funding to pull up the crossing and negotiated a time frame for the project to be completed.

“It’s a complicated issue but consultation between parties involved is continuing,” said Mr Butler.

According to Department of Primary Industries, the status of Olive Perchlet is endangered.

Olive Perchlet - Image courtesy DPIRD website.

“The western population of the fish that was once widespread throughout the Murray-Darling system has suffered a serious decline and is now only found at a few sites in the Darling River drainage.

“The fish is threatened by predation by introduced fish, habitat degradation, rapid fluctuations in water levels, spawning failures due to cold water releases from dams and loss of instream aquatic vegetation due to river regulation and carp.”