Go Fishing Victoria plan

The State Government committed to improving recreational fishing through its $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan to get more people fishing, more often, in more places.

The plan, which complemented Target One Million, invested over $35 million to:

• Phase out commercial fishing in the Gippsland Lakes through a compulsory buyout to give the Lakes back to recreational anglers, boost tourism and create jobs;
• Construct a new $7 million native fish hatchery in Shepparton focussed on warm water species such as Murray cod and golden perch;
• Increase fish stocking to 10 million fish annually by 2022;
• Allow anglers to use boats and kayaks with electric motors on some lakes and reservoirs including Tullaroop, Lauriston, Hepburn, Barkers Creek, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury, with later consideration to be given to Tarago and Devilbend;
• Mandate access for fishing and camping through opening up hundreds of kilometres of crown land river frontages, many covered by grazing licences;
• Stock Eastern King Prawns into Lake Tyers;
• Invest in science and habitat restoration in the Gippsland Lakes to ensure the environment remains healthy;
• Invest $1.5 million for a new on-water café on Bullock Island in partnership with the Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co Operative Society;
• Invest $600,000 in new or upgraded fishing platforms and fish cleaning tables
• Improve fish habitat in Port Phillip by investing $2.5 million in reef development;
• Advocate for Southern Bluefin Tuna to protect the fishery from bag limit cuts by the Commonwealth.
• Release more native fish including Murray cod, golden perch and silver perch into suburban lakes such as Rowville, Lilydale, Karkarook, Casey Fields, Navan Park, Roxburgh and Melton;
• Introduce a new Fishing for All program to get more people into fishing, including a further $200,000 into the Vic Fish Kids program;
• Offer number plates for recreational fishers;
• Invest $200,000 to develop a recreational fishing tourism plan with a focus on events and marketing regions and towns with specific species.

Boating commitments

• Abolish all boat ramp parking and launching fees at Victorian boat ramps;
• Ensure every cent of licencing and registration fees is spent on improving boat ramps, boating safety and facilities;
• Establish a Better Boating Fund to get to work immediately on urgent boat ramp upgrades across the state including Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards, Hastings and Rhyll;
• Undertake critical maintenance at Cowes Jetty;
• Provide eight new casual berths across Port Phillip that are accessible to the public;
• Review management of boating infrastructure in Port Phillip and Western Port;
• Establish a dedicated boating infrastructure authority.