Grant for Waranga Basin

The State Government is giving Victorian anglers more opportunities to wet a line thanks to new projects funded through the Recreational Fishing Grants Program – now in its twentieth year. Worth more than $925,000 in reinvested fees, the grants program is putting fishing licence fees to work to ensure every Victorian angler has access to the state’s best fishing experiences – with the 11 new projects ranging from fish habitat improvements to a jetty upgrade, education, and fisheries monitoring right across Victoria.

At Waranga Basin outside Shepparton, the Goulburn Valley Association of Angling Clubs will receive a grant to install a woody habitat, creating more homes for golden perch. The basin will also be stocked by the Victorian Fisheries Authority, commencing this summer with 100,000 fingerlings – meaning more stock for anglers to reel in. – VFA media release.

Roland Huber, Chairman of the Goulburn Valley Association of Angling Clubs and Vice President of the Nathalia Angling Club will receive $100,000 from the RFL large Grants program to be used for the habitat structures and up to $50,000 from the VFA for planning. Roland said that “This project has been in the planning for 4 years and it had taken all this time to develop a good relationship with all stakeholders and obtain manyletters of support necessary to pull it through. We hope to create one of the best Victorian inland fisheries.”
Waranga Basin is a popular lake for fishing, particularly for redfin, although being a boom & bust species many anglers unfortunately miss out on a feed. Native fish require habitat structures and with the introduction of these, Waranga Basin will become a much better fishery into the future particularly with increased stocking of Golden Perch.

Roland would like to thank the VFA, Wedge Group and delegates from all member clubs for their valuable contribution and assistance in obtaining the grant Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“We are investing in fish habitat right across Victoria to deliver long term value to aquatic ecosystems and better recreational fishing now and into the future.”
“Fishers are making a huge investment into their own pastime by purchasing a fishing licence – that’s why we’re proud to be providing additional funding over four years to get more people fishing, more often, and to ensure this experience is Australia's best.”