Hydro Tasmania welcomed the Australian Government’s recommendation to reinstate CSIRO’s hydrological modelling to help protect the endangered Maugean skate, with work already underway. 

The recommendation was handed down by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water as part of a detailed report outlining advice to conserve the Maugean skate. 

Macquarie Harbour is home to about 1000 Maugean skate, the last known population of the species anywhere in the world. Low dissolved oxygen levels are thought to be the main contributing factor in the decline of the species, putting it on the endangered list. 

The report found that while altered river flows from hydropower infrastructure were not considered a primary cause of low dissolved oxygen in Macquarie Harbour, they may be one part of the solution. 

Hydro Tasmania CEO Ian Brooksbank said experts at Hydro Tasmania had been working with CSIRO to get the hydrological model back up and running as a matter of priority. 

“The hydrology of Macquarie Harbour is very complex. River flows play a role, but it’s not a case of turning on a tap at the end of the harbour to change flows and increase dissolved oxygen. Things such as meteorological conditions also play a significant role,” Mr Brooksbank said. 

“Given the complexity, we want to be sure any changes to our operations improve environmental outcomes and do not cause unintended adverse outcomes. That’s why the modelling is so critical.  

“It will underpin any potential action we take in Macquarie Harbour to help save the Maugean skate.” 

Hydro Tasmania is a member of the National Recovery Team and continues to work constructively with all stakeholders, including those from government, industry, community, and science. 

Mr Brooksbank said Hydro Tasmania was committed to doing its bit to safeguard the environment and protect wildlife. 

“We do a lot of work to identify and protect endangered species in Tasmania. 

“We have teams of scientists and other experts working to ensure the environment and hydropower infrastructure can co-exist sustainably.” 

In 2020, staff at Hydro Tasmania’s consultancy business, Entura, discovered short-tailed rain crayfish at Lake Burbury in western Tasmania. The species was previously thought to be extinct.  

And, in 2022, Entura staff working at yingina / Great Lake found a tiny aquatic snail species Beddomeia tumida which was also thought to be extinct. 

Media contact: Megan Tudehope on 0409 722 359 or media@hydro.com.au