Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 1

6 NOVEMBER 2009 - TREACY HOUSE, 126 THE AVENUE, PARKVILLE

Independent Chair's Summary

This was the inaugural meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group, established in September 2009. Key issues discussed in the meeting included:

The draft Terms of Reference and governance arrangements of the Working Group
2008/09 Recreational Fishing Grants Program
A proposed on-line survey of Recreational Fishing Licence holders
2009/10 Recreational Fishing Grants Program
2008/09 Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account Report to Parliament

Draft Terms of Reference and governance arrangements of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group

The A/Executive Director Fisheries Victoria attended the meeting and provided an overview of the operations of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Fisheries Victoria.

A number of initiatives that Fisheries Victoria is currently undertaking in order to ascertain the views of recreational anglers was highlighted. These include conducting State-wide recreational fishing round table meetings and regional fishing forums, and a survey of recreational fishers to obtain their views about how to improve recreational fishing.

The Working Group has been established, comprising recreational anglers and a non-voting independent Chair, principally to provide advice to the Minister on the expenditure of all Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) revenue. It is anticipated that the consultation processes listed above will generate a broad set of priorities for the Working Group in which to determine future investments relevant to improving opportunities for recreational fishing in Victoria.

The Director FutureFish Foundation Projects P/L and the Executive Officer VRFish attended the meeting and provided their views on their experiences with the previous Recreational Fishing Grants Program and suggested improvements to recreational fishing.

2008/09 Recreational Fishing Grants Program

The Working Group discussed the 2008/09 RFGP applications received and the grant assessment criteria. The Working Group will assess each application and provide feedback on on proposed projects for discussion and the next meeting.

Proposed on-line survey of Recreational Fishing Licence Holders

DPI advised of its intention to conduct an on-line survey on licensed recreational anglers to ascertain their view on priorities for the expenditure of RFL funds for future years.

The results of the recreational angler survey will assist in establishing a broad set of priorities for the Working Group and Government to determine future investments relevant to improving opportunities for recreational fishing in Victoria.

2009/10 Recreational Fishing Grants Program

At present, the RFGP is being held in abeyance pending the development of a new grants program. The Working Group is to provide advice on:

Developing eligibility and assessment criteria for a Small grants program;
Developing eligibility and assessment criteria for a Large grants program;
The indicative amount of funding to be allocated to the Small and Large grants program;
The proposals under the Large grants program; and
Developing a process for a Commissioning grants program (including a role for the Working Group in the assessment of project proposals).

The Working Group supported the establishment a new grants program (for 2009/10) in early 2010.

2008/09 Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account Report to Parliament

The Working Group noted that the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account 2008/09 Report to Parliament has been prepared by DPI and is due to be tabled in Parliament in mid-November. The report outlines all revenues and expenditures associated with the Trust Account including provision to fund 2008/09 approved projects extending into the 2009/10 financial year and beyond as applicable.

Next meeting: Thursday 26 November 2009.

John Diplock
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group