Our History
Hanwood Fish Hatchery is one of the largest freshwater fish hatcheries in Queensland and is situated 8km from Murgon in the South Burnett. It obtains its water from Bjelke Petersen Dam via Joe Sipple Weir and Barambah Creek as well as overland flows into storages.
Hanwood Fish Hatchery PTY LTD is owned and operated by the Managing Director Max Cluff and his wife Deirdre in partnership with their son Craig who is also a company Director and his wife Fiona.
The property was a dairy farm before being diversified into the fish hatchery. Max was brought up on a farm and has been a farmer his whole working life and found the common sense approach to farming served him well in establishing the hatchery. Craig came back to work at the hatchery after Tafe studies and work experience elsewhere.
We specialise in hatchery production only as we feel this gives our customers the best possible quality of fish. Fish spawning times starting in July with Bass and continuing spawning right through to February. Deliveries start in December and go through to April.
We slowly upgraded our facility over the last 25 years and believe we have the most modern freshwater hatchery which assists us to produce quality fish. We have built this business by being a reliable supplier, delivering the fish within the stipulated time frames and delivering healthy fish.
- Max and Deirdre were the founding President and Secretary of the Aquaculture Association of Queensland and are still full licence members.
- Hanwood Fish Hatchery follows the guidelines of the Aquaculture Association of Queensland (AAQ) Code of Practice.
- Hanwood Fish Hatchery has been approved and complies with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Hanwood Fish Hatchery - Stage One
Hanwood Fish Hatchery Stage One was opened on the 5th of December 1987 by the Premier of Queensland, Hon. Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Stage one consisted of diversifying from traditional farming by refurbishing the existing dairy building into a hatchery building with spawning tanks, hatching tanks and fingerling holding tanks. Fifteen production ponds were constructed as well as water storage and brood stock ponds.
Hanwood Fish Hatchery - Stage Two
Hanwood Fish Hatchery Stage Two was opened on the 14th of November 1999 by the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon. Henry Palaszczuk MLA.
Stage Two consists of building a larger modern hatchery building with reception, office, ensuite, packing area, storage room, several fingerling holding tanks, spawning tanks, weaning tanks and counting, packing facilities. Also involving the construction of an innovative salt water facility capable of producing estuarine species with a focus on Australian Bass. It also included new larval rearing ponds bringing the total of production ponds to 47 as well as additional water storage facilities.