Investment brings Goulburn region waterways to life
31 March 2023
The Victorian Government is boosting local jobs, delivering better infrastructure for boaters and increasing fish hatchery production across the Goulburn region.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny today toured the construction progress at Arcadia native fish hatchery, which received a $7 million investment through Go Fishing Victoria in 2018.
The Government has invested an additional $3 million in a visitor centre at Arcadia which is set to be unveiled later this year, teaching locals and visitors about our native fish and how they are produced across the state.
The Arcadia project will also benefit from a further $10 million committed by the State Government, which will triple the hatchery’s fish production capacity. This includes 30 new fishponds and 40 new plankton ponds and will see the facility produce almost 6 million native fish each year - enabling a more self-sufficient fish stocking program in Victoria.
The facility plays an important role in enabling Victoria to stock more fish than any other state in Australia.
Minister Kilkenny also announced today that recreational boaters across the Goulburn region will enjoy improved facilities and greater safety measures.
Thanks to a $40,000 grant awarded as part of the Better Boating Victoria (BBV) Waterway Grants, important measures to boost boating safety and ensure a great day out on the water for all locals and visitors will be boosted at Lake Nagambie.
The Government is investing more than $930,000 in 12 projects across Victoria, including on the Gippsland Lakes, the Barwon River and the northern end of Port Phillip as well as popular inland boating locations at Green Lake, Tchum Lake, Lake Lascelles and Lake Watchem.
Minister Kilkenny and Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes also announced today that planning has begun for boat ramp upgrades at Lions Park in Seymour, making it easier for locals and visitors to get back on the Goulburn River following floods last year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilkenny
“Arcadia is perfectly positioned to be our primary producer of Murray cod and golden perch, complementing the work done at Snobs Creek to provide more fishing opportunities for all Victorians.”
“Through grant programs and the state’s biggest ever ramp construction program, boating licence and registration fees are being reinvested in ways that make it easier to spend quality time in the great outdoors.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“We’re proud to invest in better fishing and boating across the region – bringing locals and visitors back to the water.”