March 3, 2026
Photo by Melbourne Water of Tarago Reservoir
Have your say on guidelines for new recreational activities allowed at Tarago Reservoir, set out in the Recreational Area Management Plan and Waterway Rules.
Tarago Reservoir is a drinking water storage managed by Melbourne Water and provides water to Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs as well as the Mornington Peninsula and towns in the Westernport region. The reservoir is known to boast a strong population of brown trout as a result of stocking programs prior to its closure to recreational access in the 1970’s.
Announced in 2022, opening a new boating facility at Tarago Reservoir is a key commitment of the Victorian Government’s Go Fishing and Boating Victoria plan. In November 2024, the project was progressing and an announcement by the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos, revealed the selected location of the new boating facility – along Tarago Reservoir’s western shoreline, off North Jindivick Road. At the North Jindivick Road site, the reservoir will a receive a single-lane boat ramp, car park and amenities block to allow recreational fishing and boating access at the reservoir.
The draft Recreational Area Management Plan (RAMP) and proposed Waterway Rules guide the activities permitted at Tarago Reservoir, and how restrictions will be enforced.
In summary, fishing and boating will be conditionally allowed on Tarago Reservoir.
Per the draft Recreational Area Management Plan:
- Recreational fishing: “fishing is permitted on-water only. Fishing from shoreline is prohibited. This activity is conditional on any other rules regarding limits on the size and number of fish that can be taken that have been established by the Victorian Fisheries Authority.”
- Boating on electric craft: “Entry and exit only from designated launch point at North Jindivick boat ramp. Vessels can be launched directly from car or trailer. Visitors can also carry or trolley their craft to water. Visitors cannot drag their craft to the water. Maximum 2 people in any one vessel. Maximum speed 5 knots.“
- Paddle craft: “Kayaks, canoes and small portable craft with electric motors. Entry and exit from designated launch point at North Jindivick boat ramp. Visitors must carry or trolley their craft to water, and they cannot be dragged. Paddle craft can be launched directly from car or trailer. Safety requirements, including capacity limits must be adhered to. Maximum speed 5 knots.“
Boating will not be permitted on vessels that have petrol motors (liquid fuel, combustion engines): “The engine and fuel tank(s) must be removed from the vessel to be permitted on the water. Liquid fuel engines are not permitted in the recreational area.”
What is a Recreational Area Management Plan?
A Recreational Area Management Plan is a document that outlines how a recreational area will be managed, which activities are permitted and not permitted, and how rules will be enforced. Melbourne Water has developed a draft Recreational Area Management Plan for Tarago Reservoir and will be seeking community feedback during March 2026.
What are Waterway Rules?
Waterway Rules enable safe and orderly on-water recreation. Melbourne Water has also developed draft Waterway Rules for Tarago Reservoir and will be seeking community feedback during March 2026.
How can I have my say?
Register your interest for an online information session:
You’ll also find Melbourne Water at the Rokeby market on 14 March.
For updated information, including copies of the draft documents and opportunities to speak to the project team, visit the project website.
Submit your feedback to Melbourne Water by 5pm, Tuesday 31 March, by completing the online survey.
You can also contact Melbourne Water by calling 131 722 or [email protected]
More information
Keen to learn more about the Tarago Reservoir project? Visit:
- Melbourne Water | Opening Tarago Reservoir for on-water recreation
- Melbourne Water | Tarago Reservoir
- Better Boating Victoria | Tarago Reservoir
- Better Boating Victoria | Recreational fishing rules at Tarago Reservoir
