THE Gaden Trout Hatchery in Jindabyne will receive a significant investment of $3.3 million dollars to revitalise the educational centre and tourist attraction.

The Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro announced the news in May saying it will help boost tourism and jobs after a challenging start to 2020.
The investment will be sourced from the $300 million Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, part of the NSW Government’s commitment to the delivery of infrastructure projects that improve the productivity and competitiveness of the state under Restart NSW.

The project will deliver the infrastructure required for a modern nature-based tourism hub such as a new educational facility with an office, meal room, toilets, carpark and integration of the Thredbo Valley Track (TVT) into the hatchery picnic area.
Since the TVT extension has opened, the Gaden precinct has become very popular and is an ideal picnic spot on the banks of the Thredbo River.

“The new education centre will build on the success that the existing trout fishing industry in this part of the state is known so well for, giving locals a better appreciation of the work done at the hatchery and supporting increased production at the hatchery,” Mr Barilaro said.
“These improvements will transform this well-loved Snowy icon into a must-see destination for school and business groups with rewarding learning opportunities that encourage return visits and creates jobs for people living locally.”

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Peter Beer said integration of the Thredbo Valley Track biking and walking trail into the hatchery picnic area will entice bike riders and hikers to visit the educational centre during their next jaunt on the mountain.
“During the warmer months, riders and walkers will be able to stop by, have a bite to eat and learn a little bit about the other great activities they can enjoy while they are visiting the area,” Cr Beer said.

The Gaden Trout Hatchery is an essential breeding ground for trout, which are then released back into the local waterways to stock rivers and lakes.
In a recent NSW DPI Fisheries online information meeting regarding the Snowy Mountains trout fishery research update, attendees were informed of the recent research by Fisheries Scientist, Dr Nathan Miles, and analysis from Senior Fisheries Manager Inland, Cameron Westaway and Gaden Trout Hatchery Manager, Mitch Elkins.

Fisheries have been monitoring data across the region and implementing measures to improve the fish stocks, all good news for anglers. While there are still some concerns on a decrease of rainbow trout in the rivers, there had been great sightings of large brown trout via fishery cameras set up in various waterways.

“Just as an overview with Jindabyne, we have at least 16,000 fish within the 20-70cm size categories,” said Dr Nathan Miles.
The department have also been operating hydroacoustic surveys which are maps of fish, plus have more documentation of the studies. All information for anglers is available on the DPI website.
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fresh-rec-fish-research