November 17, 2022
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
In the lead up to the 2022 Victorian election, VRFish has met with various State political parties and advocated on behalf of Victoria’s 1,114,000 recreational fishers on how they can make fishing better now and into the future.
VRFish launched a plan to make fishing better in the lead up to the Victorian State Election which can be viewed by clicking the button below. The plan was created following advice from almost 5,000 Victorian recreational fishers which we received earlier this year as part of our annual advocacy survey as well as during consultation with our VRFish members.
FISHING & BOATING COMMITMENTS
VRFish is an apolitical, non-profit organisation and the purpose of the below table is to ensure future recreational fishing and boating policies of Victorian political parties are clear to the recreational fishers of Victoria, and so that you can make your own judgement and analysis.
| VRFish Advocacy Priorities | Labor Commitments | Liberal/National Commitments | Shooters, Fishers and Farmers |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|
| Habitat | $2.5 million in habitat improvements to preserve marine, estuarine and freshwater fisheries. | Establish a $30 million fish and platypus habitat restoration fund to invest in marine, estuarine and freshwater habitat restoration throughout Victoria. | |
| Water | - | - | |
| Access | $74.5 million for maintaining and rebuilding local piers, jetties and boating facilities. This includes $22.1 million to improve 15 ramps, jetties and car parks across the state and $12.4 million for upgrades at Tarago Reservoir, opening it up to motorised boats as well as recreational fishing. | Centralise the management of boat ramps across Port Phillip and Western Port Bay. | Continue to support the improvement of fishing facilities and boat ramps. |
| The announcement includes projects previously announced such as, the $40 million to rebuild the Dromana Pier, St Leonards Pier and the Warneet South and North Jetties, as well as $7.2 million for ramp and car park upgrades at Lang Lang, Tooradin, Inverloch and the expansion of the Cowes Jetty. | Target 1500 new car trailer unit parking bay on the central coastal region. | Continue to campaign for more public land to be made available for hunting & fishing. | |
| Introduce a new $5 million regional councils boat ramp fund to provide matched grants to regional council local boat ramp maintenance. | |||
| $3.5 million to upgrade the Flinders Pier, with designing and planning works to be conducted in partnership with the local community and pier users. | |||
| $3.8 million to upgrade the Mordialloc Pier, with planning and design in partnership with user groups. | |||
| Fund the rebuild and re-opening of Hampton Pier, a promise that has now been matched by Labor. | |||
| Best Practice | $18.8 million will boost fish stock, including $10 million to triple the size of the native fish hatchery at Arcadia and $5 million for the next major stage of works at Snobs Creek Fish Hatchery. | Ensure that 100 per cent of marine, boating and fishing licence fees are dedicated to improve facilities and maintain fishing stocks and river ecology. | Introduce bow fishing for invasive fish species. |
| $250,000 grant to support Victoria’s first indigenous-run oyster farm in Lakes Entrance. | Deliver $1 million in new research funding to ensure that fish restocking programs are followed up and assessed within 12 months to determine their effectiveness and value for money. | Enforce transparency in the distribution of hunting and fishing license fees and boat registrations. | |
| Protect fishing in the review of animal welfare laws. | |||
| Promote | $1.5 million will get 60,000 Little Anglers Kits to primary school aged kids. | - | |
| $1.2 million in grants for fishing clubs (up to $10,000 per club). | |||
| $1 million to promote the state’s aquaculture sector, helping the industry land new investment and grow local jobs. |
LINKS TO POLITICAL PARTY COMMITMENTS
LABOR
- Read the Victoria Labor Party’s Fishing and Boating Commitment Media Release here.
LIBERAL/NATIONALS
- Read the Victorian Liberal/Nationals fishing and boating Media Release here.
- View the Victorian Liberal/Nationals summary of fishing and boating commitments here.
DISCLAIMER
This information has been compiled in good faith. This information has been obtained from public announcements by the political parties, publicly available information and in writing to VRFish. This information is not intended to be a how to vote guide. Any errors or discrepancies can be reported to [email protected]
