More upgrades coming in boating plan’s second stage

THE latest Victorian Recreational Boating Action Plan 2022-23 will deliver more than $42 million of improvements to recreational boating.

Supported by funding from boaters’ registration and licence fees, the package includes upgrades to a range of boating infrastructure across the state, including ramps, car parks, pontoons and jetties.

Works in the coming months will see a new accessible pontoon installed at Apollo Bay boat ramp as part of an expanding network of all-abilities facilities across the state, while $3.3 million will go towards making it cheaper to launch and park at Portland Harbour and all public ramps in Victoria.

A second year of Recreational Boating Access and Dredging Program and Structural Maintenance Grants will help ramp managers improve access and facilities for boaters across the state through up to $3 million of funding.

There will also be funding to progress construction of boating facility upgrades at several locations, including Limeburners car park, Kirk Point, Clifton Springs car park and Avalon.

Minister for Fishing and Boating Sonya Kilkenny said the second Action Plan included up to $300,000 for ramp upgrades at Lake Burrumbeet near Ballarat and the development of detailed designs for a jetty replacement at Lake Tooliorook, near Lismore, and upgrades at Port Fairy boat ramp.

The second action plan follows the $33.2 million invested in 2021-22, which provided more than $6 million for large-scale ramp developments at Lake Bullen Merri and Warrnambool’s Lady Bay and expanded the Boating Vic camera network to Port Fairy and Apollo Bay.

“Whether it’s to fish an iconic crater lake, cruise the Glenelg River or motor offshore for big tuna, the south-west is a go-to boating destination and our continued investment in upgrades will ensure it remains safe and accessible for years to come,” Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said.

Projects and programs identified for funding in the action plan – which is supporting the delivery of the Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy – have been prioritised based on boating demand, project readiness, boating safety needs and equity of distribution of funds across regional Victoria as well as Port Phillip and Western Port.

The action plan will also roll out boating promotion initiatives to promote the boating experience across Victoria, including new cruising and boating trails to encourage boating in regional Victoria, boat trailer reversing clinics, and options to improve marine skills training to support the boating sector.

“We’re continuing our investment in recreational boating across the state – improving safety and enhancing the boating experience across Victoria,” Ms Kilkenny said.

“We’re upgrading boat ramps across the state to create more opportunities for families to enjoy the great outdoors by hitting the water.

For more information about the 2022-23 Recreational Boating Action Plan, head to betterboating.vic.gov.au