Victorian Government promises $65 million Better Bay Plan

Port Phillip Bay Aerial. SW

Dr. Denis Napthine © SW

Premier Denis Napthine today unveiled a $65 million Better Bay Plan and announced that commercial netting in Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay will be phased out.

Dr Napthine said the comprehensive plan focused on preserving and rehabilitating one of the state’s best assets, while also building important community infrastructure to enable more people to enjoy the picturesque Port Phillip Bay.

A re-elected Napthine Government’s Better Bay Plan will deliver:

A $20.5 million investment into new and upgraded bike paths around Port Phillip Bay; $16.7 million to protect the bay against the impacts of erosion, litter and marine pests; $4.29 million to upgrade and improve fishing piers; and
$3.07 million for Beach Patrol volunteers and investment into Surf Life Saving Clubs.

'Port Phillip Bay is one of the many assets that makes Melbourne the world’s most livable city and makes Victoria the best state in Australia,' Dr Napthine said.

'Our Better Bay Plan is the only integrated strategy to keep the Bay beautiful and enhance its amenity for more people to enjoy.

'We will deliver this $65 million initiative because Port Phillip Bay is the heart of Victoria, it’s where we spend time with our friends and families and it is definitely worth protecting for future generations,' Dr Napthine said.

Dr Napthine said the Victorian Coalition Government was also committed to improving recreational fishing opportunities for Victorians and if re-elected, would allocate $20 million over four years towards a buyback of commercial licences for Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay.

'This will significantly improve recreational fishing opportunities through greater fish numbers in the bay, which will in turn boost the recreational fishing industry and see benefits flow on to local businesses.'

Corio Bay morning. © Theo Spykers

'Our vision is for Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay to be recreational fishing meccas for locals and visitors,' Dr Napthine said.

The $20 million funding commitment over four years would provide a fair and equitable exit strategy for licence holders and the buyback would be phased to minimise the impacts to the commercial fishing industry.

An independent panel would be established to make recommendations to the Coalition Government on how the buyback would be structured and commercial netting will be phased out. The panel would consult with the relevant peak bodies such as the Seafood Industry Victoria and Victorian Recreational Fishing (VRFish) and key stakeholders Future Fish, Australian Fishing Trading Association and others.