Abolishing Ramp Fees To Get More Victorians Out On The Water

The Andrews Labor Government is making it cheaper and easier for more Victorian families to get out on the water by abolishing parking and launching fees at public boat ramps.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford visited the Warmies boat ramp at Newport today to announce that parking and launching at boat ramps across Hobsons Bay City Council is now free.

The costs of parking and launch fees can make a day on the bay more expensive than it should be. That’s why the Labor Government promised to remove launching and parking fees at all public boat ramps across the state.

The abolition of fees at the Warmies boat ramp is the first step in delivering on this major election commitment and will save families up to $315 a year on an annual parking permit.

Boat ramps at Port Welshpool, Portland, Corinella, Lake Nagambie and Torquay are also now free, as well as four ramps managed by Bass Coast Shire Council. Every public boat ramp across Victoria will be free by Spring – ready for the busy summer boating period.

Better Boating Victoria was established earlier this year to oversee the introduction of free parking and launching, and deliver upgrades and maintenance at Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards, Hastings, Rhyll and Cowes Jetty.

It’s all part of the Labor Government’s unprecedented investment in boating and fishing that will ensure every dollar of licence and registration revenue goes towards improving boating facilities and safety.

Better Boating Victoria is building on the success of the Labor Government’s record investment in the Target One Million program which includes a huge boost to fish stocking, a new native fish hatchery and better planning for fishing tourism.

For more information visit transport.vic.gov.au/betterboating.

COMMERCIAL OCTOPUS FISHERY LICENCES SECURED IN GIPPSLAND

Media Release – Friday, 28 August 2020

Commercial operators in East Gippsland will be able to fish for octopus thanks to a new category of licence which will secure valuable jobs in the region and provide more fresh food for seafood lovers. Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said 11 ongoing licences will be issued, which will allow operators to catch up to 68 tonnes of octopus per year through sustainable fishing in the Gippsland zone.

The new category of licence will be specific to the octopus fishery and will permit operators to fish in waters east of Loch Sport to the New South Wales border. The new dedicated licence and quota is tradeable, which will improve business security for operators and enable more confident investment into boats, equipment and staff. Octopus have been harvested by commercial fishers in Victoria in the past under other licence categories. They will be caught in purpose-built, unbaited traps that minimise bycatch and are environmentally friendly.

The catch from the region could be worth up to $1 million annually to the Gippsland operators as Australian chefs and consumers move to embrace Victorian octopus. Most of the fishery is based on pale octopus, which inhabits sandy substrates in bays and coastal waters of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. They can be found in waters to depths of almost 600 metres and are of little interest to recreational fishers.

Catches from the Western and Central zones, where octopus fishing is more developmental, will continue to be managed using permits issued by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne “Securing the octopus fishery long-term through new licensing arrangements is terrific news for East Gippsland, and
for Victorians who love fresh seafood on their dinner plates. We’re providing much-needed security for commercial operators, while ensuring this fishery is managed sustainably.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett “This area is well known for providing some of the bestseafood in Australia, and we’re making it easier to showcase
that produce to a broader market.”
“This new licence category will provide a much-needed economic boost to the region with important ongoing work for the local community.”
Quotes attributable to Seafood Industry Victoria Chair Joanne Butterworth-Gray “The security and ongoing flexibility of these licences are a welcome opportunity for businesses in East Gippsland.”
“We welcome the opportunity to work with the Government and the industry to grow a sustainable fishery which
will benefit Victoria.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au