Lake Bullen Merri boat ramp gets an upgrade

29 June 2018

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Lake Bullen Merri near Camperdown is one of south-west Victoria's premier freshwater fisheries, attracting thousands of anglers throughout the year and contributing significantly to the local economy.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said recently there have been fears that the only remaining boat ramp would need to be closed due to safety concerns around access to the pontoon jetties and condition of the concrete ramp.

Pontoons were damaged during the powerful storms that intensified the Camperdown bushfire back in March and have now fallen into disrepair.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) will provide up to $15,000 from the State Government's Target One Million plan to the Lake Bullen Merri South Beach Foreshore Committee of Management to undertake urgent remedial works. This will ensure that the ramp remains safe and open for recreational anglers to get access to lake.

The repair works to the damaged infrastructure will start this week.

This is on top of the recent investment of $10,000 provided to the South Beach Foreshore Committee of Management to undertake a detailed design for the development of a new boat launching facility to cater for growing use into the future.

Target One Million is investing a record $46 million, including $9 million from fishing licence fees, to get more Victorians fishing, more often and grow participation to a million anglers by 2020.

The Better Fishing Facilities grants program is a key component of Target One Million, which funds projects like this one to deliver clear benefits to recreational fishers.

The crater lakes, including nearby Lake Purrumbete, are our most exciting trophy trout and Chinook salmon destinations, with anglers reporting catches weighing up to 10kg or more.

Since 2015, more than 100,000 brown trout, rainbow trout and Chinook salmon have been stocked into Bullen Merri. These numbers have complemented our recent record stocking of more than 6 million fish to improve inland fishing.

For more information about Target One Million and the Better Fishing Facilities Grants Program visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/targetonemillion.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford

"Lake Bullen Merri is one of south-west Victoria's premier freshwater fishing lakes and is incredibly important to the local community –these crucial works will help more people fish, more often."

"These urgent repairs are a great example of the community working together with the Victorian Fisheries Authority to achieve positive outcomes for the community, quickly."

Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney

"Lake Bullen Merri has shared in our record fish stocking and will receive more trout and Chinook salmon throughout winter and spring – and that's great news for recreational anglers not just in our southwest, but across the state."