20,000 fingerlings were released, consisting of 14,000 Murray Cod and 6,000 Golden Perch.

Parkes Shire Council recently released thousands of fingerlings into Lake Endeavour, as part of ongoing efforts to promote the health and biodiversity of our region’s waterways.

In total, 20,000 fingerlings were released, consisting of 14,000 Murray Cod and 6,000 Golden Perch. The release was made possible by the Recreational Fishing (Freshwater) Trust through a native fish stocking initiative run by the Department of Primary Industries Fisheries.

Parkes Shire Council’s Environment and Sustainability Coordinator, Michael Chambers, said fish stocking supports native fish populations, benefitting our community in several ways.

However, recreational fishermen will need to wait some time before these fish are ready to be caught. “Generally, it takes at least two years before fingerlings reach a catchable size.” 

“However, Parkes Shire Council has regularly carried out fish stocking at Lake Endeavour since 2016, making the site theoretically ideal for fishing now,” added Mr Chambers.

Murray Cod and Golden Perch usually occur together in Australian freshwater ways. Both species are widespread throughout the Murray Darling Basin but have declined or completely disappeared in many areas. The decline of these fish, like so many freshwater species, is due to several human drivers, namely river regulation, disrupted migrations and spawning behaviour, cold-water pollution under large dams, and barriers to migration and recolonisation created by weirds and dams.

Anglers wishing to fish at Lake Endeavour must apply for a recreational fishing licence through the Service NSW website and pay the associated fee. Access permits for Lake Endeavour are available from Council for recreational activities such as bushwalking, bird watching, fishing, and picnicking.

Tony Mileto loves nothing more than delivering on promises for regional communities.

As someone who’s called the Central West home since I was 12, I want to ensure young people living in regional NSW can look to a future filled with endless opportunity. Not despite the fact they live in the regions, but because of it.

That’s why, four years ago, the NSW Nationals appointed a dedicated Minister for Regional Youth and set up a youth taskforce to inject young voices from the bush into government decision-making.

It’s why we asked 2,000 young people from the regions about what mattered to them and created a $40 million fund to invest in their ideas. 

No young person in the regions should have to leave their home community because there are no high-tech or high-paying jobs there.

It’s why we’re helping regional businesses grow, and why we’re attracting interstate and international businesses to relocate to the bush.

We’re offering real help – like rebates for energy bills and tools to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, subsidised training to help you get the job you want, and vouchers for those with young families to help with extra costs like school and sport.

There is always more to do, but we have seen a 60 per-cent reduction in regional youth suicide from 2019 to 2022. As a former police officer who worked as a police/student liaison officer in Forbes and who continued that role with the PCYC in Orange, I know the importance of giving our young people a hand. It’s why I undertook community work in the fields of mental health and suicide prevention.

Only The Nationals are committed to putting regional people first – from their first steps to their first job and onwards.

Before you vote in the Central West on March 25, consider which party is there for you.