Fish habitat improvement fund
In 2022, the Victorian Government announced a commitment of $2.5 million dollars to improve fish habit across Victoria’s marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries as part of its Go Fishing Victoria plan.
The Fish Habitat Improvement Fund supports two streams:
Stream 1. Empowering recreational fishers to improve local fish habitat (community led projects up to $50,000):
These projects will deliver small-scale works to improve local fish habitat works alongside waterways such as native vegetation planting, weed control, erosion control, fencing (to keep livestock out) on public or private land. This stream will help recreational fishers get involved, build capacity and establish partnerships with other fish habitat partners and land managers.
Stream 2. Partnerships to address critical fish habitat priorities: working together to restore, recover and rebuild fish populations (up to $200,000).
This stream will deliver larger-scale projects involving multiple partners and strong co-investment to restore, recover fish habitat and contribute to rebuilding fish populations. Applicants for this stream will require advanced project management capacity, leadership and connections with recreational fishers and other relevant stakeholders.
You can find the Fish Habitat Improvement Fund flyer, which includes already funded projects, here.
Who can apply?
The following government and non-government organisations with strong links to recreational fisher networks are eligible to apply for Fish Habitat Improvement funding:
- Catchment Management Authorities
- Local, regional, and state-wide angling organisations and associations
- Local Councils
- Water Authorities
- Other NRM agencies
- Aboriginal groups and organisations, land councils,
- trusts and co-operatives working on-country
- Non-government community organisations
- Crown Land Committees of Management
- Registered Training Organisations, including schools and universities
Key Dates
Stream 2 grants opened on 7 February 2025 and will close at 6:00pm 2 May 2025.
All projects are to be completed by 30 June 2026.
Conditions and Guidelines
Prior to developing an application, please read the guidelines
Application Process
Application forms are available via the below links. Project variation requests, progress reports and Acquittals for each program can also be accessed via these links:
Access your application for stream 1 here
Access your application for stream 2 here
Stream 1 funded projects
| 1. Mallee CMA | Sandilong Creek carp removal and waterway improvement project |
|---|---|
| 2. Mallee CMA | Narcooyia creek fish habitat improvement project |
| 3. Wangaratta Landcare and Sustainability | Wangaratta Landcare & Sustainability in partnership with Bangerang Traditional Owners |
| 4. Australian Trout Foundation | Mayfly Rise 2.0, Ovens River habitat enhancement program |
| 5. North East CMA | 'Bridging Waters' A project for better fish passage, Ovens River |
| 6. Kiewa Valley Fishing Club | Fish Habitat Construction – Maddisons, Kiewa River |
| 7. OzFish Unlimited | Willow Warriors: OzFish River Repair Bus and Recreational Fishers Unite to Control Willows Within the Little Murray |
Stream 2 funded projects
| 8. Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club | Kicking Goals for Kayakers' Reef, Hobsons Bay shellfish reef restoration |
|---|---|
| 9. East Gippsland CMA | Gippsland Lakes Estuaries Habitat Improvement |
| 10. Glenelg Hopkins CMA | Nursery fish habitat for the Hopkins River Estuary |
| 11. North East CMA | River Resurgence: A fish-friendly endeavour in the Lower Livingstone Creek |
| 12. Goulburn Broken CMA | Supporting Hughes Creek Macquarie Perch through in-stream habitat restoration |
Further Information & Who to Contact
For further information please email: fishhabitatfund@vfa.vic.gov.au
Or call Andrew Briggs: 0427 018 406.
Be sure to contact your local Catchment Management Authority or Melbourne Water for local advice on your project idea.