Moggs Creek boardwalk in Geelong will be one of the first projects undertaken as part of the Victorian Labor Government’s Target One Million plan to get more people fishing.
Who: The Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee.
What: Replacement of the Moggs Creek boardwalk, located between Fairhaven and Eastern View on the Great Ocean Road.
Why: To improve access for recreational anglers as part of the Labour Government’s Target One Million plan to get more people fishing.
How much: $56,550 will be invested from the Labor Government’s Target One Million plan.
Fishing has been given great importance under the Victorian Labor government, which has allocated $35m to phase out commercial netting, upgrade fishing clubs and increase the number of recreational fishers to one million by the year 2020.
Under the plan, a sum of $10m has been allocated to a ‘Better Fishing Facilities Fund’ which will be used to develop new recreational fishing reefs, improve boat launching facilities and access to waterways, and install fish cleaning tables and fish aggregating devices.
The Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee has been allocated $56,550 by the Labor Government to replace the boardwalk at Moggs Creek, between Fairhaven and Eastern View on the Great Ocean Road.
A spokesperson from Fisheries Victoria said: “There was a boardwalk there before. However, after years of exposure to the elements it was in need of replacement. The new boardwalk will provide improved access to a range of users including those with restricted mobility.”
The area between Fairhaven Surf Life Saving Club and Eastern View is a popular area with surf fishers chasing Australian salmon, gummy shark, mullet, trevally and elephant fish.
The Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee of Management worked with the Association of Geelong and District Angling Clubs to win the grant. Local contractors will be used to undertake the work, which is expected to be completed by Spring.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said recreational fishing makes a significant contribution to the social and economic well-being of coastal communities along the Great Ocean Road and throughout the state.
“By enhancing fishing facilities and increasing the number of recreational fishers to one million across Victoria we’re creating jobs, supporting local businesses and strengthening our rural and regional communities.”