Boaters and fishers are being given more opportunities to get outdoors and spend time on the water, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Sonya Kilkenny said upgrades are being delivered to key boating facilities right across Port Phillip Bay and waterways are continuing to be stocked with fish to get more people fishing more often.
At the Patterson River boat ramp in Carrum, $60,000 in funding has been granted to undertake priority repairs to ramp surfaces, pontoons and the installation of two hoists to improve safety and access and make it easier for hundreds of boaters heading out on the water with family and friends each day.
Work is also progressing on stage two of a priority upgrade to the Governor Road boat ramp in Mordialloc – with improvements to car parking set to be complete in coming weeks. It complements work undertaken last year to install new pontoons at the boat ramp and the addition of an accessible pontoon at nearby Pier Road, providing all-abilities access onto the bay or along Mordialloc Creek.
In Rye, nearly $100,000 in funding will be put towards jetty repairs at the busy boat ramp, as part of the Labor Government’s Better Boating Fund Structural Maintenance Grants Program. The original section of jetty is more than 40 years old and requires significant maintenance to ensure safety and functionality for the scores of boaters launching on the Mornington Peninsula.
Around 10,000 brown trout and 10,000 rainbow trout will also be stocked into Devilbend Reservoir on the Mornington Peninsula in coming days.
Fishers will also benefit from the recent installation of a new artificial reef in Port Phillip Bay. The reef includes 16 purpose-built modules – which have been deployed north of Observatory Point inside Port Phillip Heads.
Each module is four metres wide at the base and five metres high, in an open pyramid design – and attracts pelagic fish – particularly kingfish.
It all forms part of the Government’s $35 million Go Fishing Victoria plan, which has seen the end of commercial net fishing in the bay – leaving more than 600 tonnes of extra fish for recreational fishers to reel in, including snapper.
All boat ramps have also been made free to benefit boaters, and a record-breaking 10 million fish has been stocked across Victoria over the past year.
As stated by Minister for Fishing and Boating Sonya Kilkenny
“We’re giving boaters and fishers more opportunities to get outdoors and spend time on the water by upgrading these boating facilities and continuing to stock our waterways with thousands of fish.”
“We know locals and visitors love spending time in Port Phillip Bay – so this will ensure they can continue boating and fishing in the area for years to come.”
