June 12, 2026
Have your say on the draft Third Victorian Waterway Management Strategy.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has developed the third Victorian Waterway Management Strategy (the strategy) which provides a 10-year framework to sustain waterways (rivers, wetlands, estuaries and floodplains) and balance the many ways Victorians use and value them.
The draft strategy has been developed through a review of the 2013 Victorian Waterway Management Strategy, results from the public 2022 My Victorian Waterway Survey, and feedback from the community in late 2023. It’s also included advice from Traditional Owners, waterway managers, and other key partners and stakeholders – including VRFish.
With more than one-million Victorian’s going fishing every year, recreational use of our waterways is highly valued by the community. Beyond the social value, recreational water-based activities like fishing, boating and paddling, provide a significant boost to local economies.
VRFish has provided advice through the development of the draft strategy to ensure the views of recreational fishers are represented.
About the draft strategy
The Strategy framework includes a 50-year aspirational vision, cultural outcomes and long-term (20-year) outcomes to guide policies and actions.
Per the draft strategy, the vision for Victoria’s waterways is:
- Victorian waterways are sustained diverse ecosystems that provide environmental, social, cultural and economic benefits for everyone, even as our climate changes.
- Waterways are collaboratively managed with Traditional Owners, acknowledging and enabling their custodial obligations to care for Country.
- Victorians value and understand these waterways as living and life-giving systems, actively participating in waterway decision-making and management.
According to DEECA, key considerations for the new strategy include:
- Supporting the environmental condition of Victoria’s waterways
- Adapting to climate change
- Increasing decision-making for Traditional Owners in waterway management
- Supporting communities to care for waterways
- Guiding the development of regional waterway strategies
- Considering any other areas or opportunities that come from community feedback
To achieve the vision and outcomes, the draft strategy includes 68 proposed policies and 49 actions.
Throughout the strategy, it addresses areas relevant to recreational fishing such as the recreational access and use of waterways, communities value and enjoy waterways, citizen science and waterway stewardship, invasive species, crown water frontages, fish passage, to name a few.
Visit the Engage Victoria website to view the draft strategy, supporting information or facts sheets and to have your say via their online survey or upload a written submission.
Public feedback can help shape the overall direction of the strategy, proposed policies and actions, vision and outcomes and the clarity of the strategy’s content.
Public consultation closes at 11:59 pm on 29 June 2026.
ONLINE WEBINARS
Online webinars will be held for you to learn more about the strategy and help inform your responses to the feedback survey.
The webinars all cover the following material:
- An overview of the strategy, its purpose and key changes
- A summary of the strategy’s vision, outcomes and policy areas
- Guidance on how to interpret the draft strategy and provide feedback through Engage Victoria
- A facilitated question and answer session
Questions regarding your local waterway can be directed to your regional Catchment Management Authority or Melbourne Water.
The online sessions will be held (click link to register):
- Monday 15 June 2026, 10:30am – 12:00pm
- Monday 22 June 2026, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
- Tuesday 23 June 2026, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
HAVE YOUR SAY
If you have any feedback to assist VRFish in representing your interests, please drop us a line at [email protected].
