Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 25

13 October 2015 - Location: Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne

Independent Chair's Summary

This was the 25th meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.

Key items discussed included:

  • RFL Small Grant conditions and guidelines  
  • RFL plastic licence initiative
  • RFL  licence sales
  • RFGWG Expression of Interest Process
  • 2014/15 Report To Parliament
  • Fishcare Victoria – 2014/15 and Beyond
  • Target One Million – One Year In
  • Wild Trout Management  Program - Update

RFL Small Grant conditions and guidelines

Discussion was had to ensure that there is consistency between the agreed Conditions and Guidelines and the DEDJTR RFL small grants web page.

RFL plastic licence initiative

The Working Group received a presentation on the roll out of the RFL plastic licence initiative which will be available soon to recreational fishers who buy either a one year or three year licence online.

RFL licence sales

The Working Group received a presentation on RFL sales trends over the years since the introduction of the All-Waters licence in 1999. Of particular interest was the steady and substantial increase in the amount of online sales over the last 5 years.

RFGWG Expression of Interest Process

Richard Rogala advised that the Expression of Interest process to call for members for a third term of the RFGWG is scheduled to run between 19 October and 27 November. Three existing members of the Working Group  will be ineligible to reapply as they will have completed two consecutive terms. The Victorian Government has set targets of 50 per cent female representation on Government appointed boards and committees, and this will apply to the next term of the Working Group.

2014/15 Report To Parliament 

Richard Rogala presented a copy of the 2014/15 RFL Trust Account Report to Parliament to each member of the Working Group. The Chair expressed thanks on behalf of the committee for the work that had gone into the preparation of the Report.

Fishcare Victoria – 2014/15 and Beyond

Dave Cleeland delivered a presentation on the Fishcare Victoria program with particular emphasis on its achievements over the last couple of years, and how RFL funding has been utilised and what outcomes it has generated. The Chair commended Dave Cleeland on the great work that Fishcare Victoria Inc. has been undertaking.

Target One Million – One Year In

Brian Mottram gave a report on how election commitments which form the Target One Million initiative are being planned for and achieved.

Wild Trout Management  Program - Update

Anthony Forster delivered a presentation on the RFL- funded Wild Trout Management Program showing what has been delivered to date across the eight individual sub-programs, and gave and presented a draft agenda for the first public Wild Trout Forum to be held in Mansfield on Saturday 21 November 2015.   

Next meeting: 2 March 2016

Rob Loats
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group