Making boating cheaper and easier for central victoria

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will make it cheaper and easier for families in central Victoria to get out on the water, with an unprecedented boost to recreational boating and fishing.

Labor will fix boat ramps, abolish all boat ramp parking and launching fees and make sure that every cent of licencing and registration fees is spent on boating safety and facilities.

Victorian families know that the costs of parking and launch fees can make a day out on the water an expensive outing, and poorly maintained facilities take the fun out of taking the boat out.

Labor will establish a Better Boating Fund to get to work immediately on urgent boat ramp upgrades across the state.

Building on the success of the Andrews Labor Government’s $46 million investment in the Target One Million program, Labor will invest in a massive boost to fish stocking and better planning for fishing tourism.

Under Labor, fish stocking will grow to 10 million fish per year by 2022, driving growth in fishing participation and helping every Victorian anglers to have a good day out on the water.

This comes on top of $7 million the Labor Government has already committed to a new native fish hatchery in Shepparton.

Labor will open up new fishing spots across the state, allowing anglers to use non-powered boat boating such as kayaks and small craft with electric motors on Tullaroop, Lauriston, Hepburn, Barkers Creek, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury reservoirs.

Hundreds of kilometres of crown land river frontages covered by grazing licenses will also be opened up for fishing and camping.

A new Fishing for All program will be introduced to get more people into fishing and Labor will invest a further $200,000 in the highly successful Vic Fish Kids program.

And for those who want to take their love of fishing from the ramp to the road, VicRoads will offer a new range of recreational fishing designed licence plates for cars, introduced as part of the range of custom plates

Quote attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford
"Whether you fish on the coast, our stunning bays and inlets or in pristine freshwater lakes and rivers – only Labor will deliver for recreational anglers."

Quote attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"These changes will open up new waterways like Hepburn, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury reservoirs for kayakers and small craft with electric motors, making it easier for locals to get out on the water and enjoy a day’s fishing."