Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group Meeting 21
15 July 2014 - Location: Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne
Independent Chair's Summary
This was the 21st meeting of the Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group.
Key items discussed included:
- Wild Trout Fisheries Management Plan Commissioning Bid
- 2014-16 Recreational Fishing Licence Communications Plan
- Guidelines for funding of Recreational Fishing Grants Program – Small Grants.
Wild Trout Fisheries Management Plan Commissioning Bid
DEPI Fisheries recently prepared an out-of-session application for consideration as part of the 2013/14 Commissioning Grants Program. Fisheries management staff attended the meeting to deliver a presentation on the proposed 'Wild Trout Fisheries Management Plan' and answer any questions prior to the Working Group making their deliberation.
Following deliberation, the Working Group voted in support of providing up to $565,000 (GST not applicable) of revenue from the RFL Trust Account over three years for the implementation of the 'Wild Trout Fisheries Management Plan'.
DEPI Fisheries to prepare a letter to the Minister on behalf of the Chair recommending the disbursement of up to $565,000 (GST not applicable) of RFL Trust Account revenue over three years to Fisheries for the 'Wild Trout Fisheries Management Plan' commissioning bid.
2014-16 Recreational Fishing Grants Program Communications Plan
The Working Group was provided with an evaluation of the implementation of the 2012-14 RFL Communications Plan, as well as a draft 2014-16 RFL Communications Plan for consideration.
The Working Group voted in support of providing up to $96,000 (GST included) of revenue from the RFL Trust Account over two years for the implementation of the 2014-16 RFL Communications Plan.
DEPI Fisheries to prepare a letter to the Minister on behalf of the Chair recommending the disbursement of up to $96,000 (GST inclusive) of RFL Trust Account revenue over two years for the implementation of the 2014-16 RFL Communications Plan.
Guidelines for funding of Recreational Fishing Grants Program – Small Grants
The RFGP Small Grants Program provides funding of up to $5,500 (GST inclusive) for small recreational fishing projects which benefit public recreational fishing in Victoria. The RFGP Small Grants Program – Conditions and Guidelines provide information on program objectives, eligibility, and information on what can and cannot be funded under the program.
The chair reminded the group of the need to refer to the conditions and guidelines when assessing applications. It was also noted that some small applications that have recently been received contain excessive project management fees, which were deemed to be unacceptable by the Working Group.
It was decided that Fisheries staff should review the RFGP Small Grants Program – Conditions and Guidelines, and make any required changes and then circulate the revised Conditions and Guidelines to the Working Group for approval.
Next meeting: 11 September 2014
Rob Loats
Independent Chair
Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group