More boating and fishing at upper coliban and barkers creek

Boaters and anglers can look forward to better access and fishing opportunities at Upper Coliban Reservoir and Barkers Creek in central Victoria thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

The funding boost of $250,000 will be used to provide new boat ramps at Premier Mines Road at Upper Coliban Reservoir in addition to a new boat ramp and upgraded car parking at Barkers Creek Reservoir.

Victoria will now have two very exciting new fisheries they can access with their tinnys and electric motors.

At Upper Coliban Reservoir, a new gravel boat ramp will be built at the new access point on Premier Mine Road to provide safe launching for boats and tinnys with electric motors.

The works at Barkers Creek will include opening up an existing boat ramp to public use, safer access from the road to the existing boat ramp, grading and drainage works, new signage and designated parking for cars and trailers.

The works will be carried out by Coliban Water who will collaborate with the Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Corporation to protect the identified cultural heritage at the Upper Coliban Reservoir site.

In more good news for boaters and anglers, the Upper Coliban Reservoir will be stocked with 4,000 large Murray cod and 20,000 Murray cod fingerlings for the first time ever.

Barkers Creek Reservoir will also get another 4,000 grown cod. These fish join over 200 Murray cod, averaging around 2kg, that were stocked in Barkers Creek earlier this year.

These projects are part of the Labor Government’s unprecedented investment in boating and fishing that includes $47.2 million to make boating better, easier and cheaper in Victoria and $35 million to get more Victorians fishing, more often in more places.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"We want more people to get outdoors and enjoy great inland waterways across Victoria which is why we’re making it easier and safer for people to get on the water at Upper Coliban Reservoir."

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
"These works at Barkers Creek Reservoir will make it easier for locals to get into fishing and get the family out on the water."

Quotes attributable to Coliban Water CEO Damien Wells
"Water really does underpin liveability in our region. It’s fantastic to support our community to get out and enjoy our reservoirs."