Member for Benalla, Dr Sykes has welcomed a series of Recreational Fisheries Regional Forums in North East Victoria and encourages interested residents and fishers to consider attending one of the sessions.
Anglers have an opportunity to have a say about recreational fisheries, liaise with Department of Primary Industry’s Fisheries Victoria staff, VRFish and the fishing community; and learn more about how Fisheries Victoria is improving fishing in Victoria.
The Coalition Government has expressed its strong commitment to broadening engagement with recreational fishers to provide improved opportunities for recreational fishing.
A forum is being held on Wednesday 2 May at 7pm at the Nagambie Angling Club, McLeods Street, Kirwans Bridge.
A second forum is being held on Thursday 3 May at 7pm at the Eildon Community Centre, corner Centre Avenue and Riversdale Drive.

Key strategies for the management of one of Victoria’s best fishing regions are now in place.
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the Goulburn Broken Fishery
Management Plan would guide the management of fisheries in the Goulburn River, Broken
River and Broken Creek catchments over the next five years.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the Goulburn Broken region was one of Victoria’s most
popular fishing regions.
“The Goulburn Broken region includes trout, native and mixed fisheries in Lake Eildon, the
Goulburn and Broken rivers, Broken Creek and the Nagambie Lakes,” Dr Sykes said.
“Fishing supports many small businesses and is vital to the economies of regional
communities. Studies have shown recreational fishing brings millions of dollars to the Eildon
region.
“The Goulburn Broken Fishery Management Plan encourages responsible fishing behaviour,
outlines fish stocking plans and examines ways to improve access to fishing areas to
maximise this economic value to the area.”
Key strategies in the plan include:
assessing the status of the Goulburn Broken fishery;
understanding the economic value of recreational fishing to Goulburn Broken
communities;
promoting Goulburn River and Eildon Pondage as premier fishing locations;
Stocking native species into Nagambie Lake;
developing Macquarie perch and trout cod stocking programs; and
stocking threatened species to re-establish viable native populations.
The plan was developed with a stakeholder based steering committee which included
representatives from VRFish, the Australian Trout Foundation, Native Fish Australia, the
Victorian National Parks Association, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management
Authority, Goulburn Murray Water, Mansfield Shire, local businesses and DPI.
The Goulburn Broken Fishery Management Plan is available from the DPI Customer Service
Centre on 136 186 or at http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fisheries

Lake Eildon and Lake Nagambie will receive funding through the 2010-11 round of the Victorian Government’s Boating Safety and Facilities Program (BSFP), Member for Benalla Bill Sykes announced today.
Dr Sykes said, “Both Lake Eildon and Nagambie have enjoyed increased usage by recreational fishers, boaters and tourists as a result of good lake levels and it is important that facilities are safe for users; this funding will help to ensure this.”
Funding has been allocated for the following projects:
• Lake Nagambie - $14,643 – new navigation buoys for the lake
• Lake Eildon - $21,340 – new navigation buoys for the lake
• Lake Eildon - $113,461 – upgrade boat ramps, access tracks and trailer parking at Lakeside, Main Ramp and Burgan Point boat ramps.
Senior Boating Safety Officer at the Strathbogie Shire, Steve Parsons said, “From our point of view this funding is a great result as it allows improvements in signage and safety aids which will ensure boaters know where they can go and what they can do on Lake Nagambie.”
Jeff Harrison, Co-ordinator Land and On Water at Goulburn Murray Water said the funding for new navigation aids will ensure that Lake Eildon is compliant with Marine Safety regulations.
“The purpose of the buoys and signs on water ways is to make it safer for boaters and assist them to understand the zoning rules that apply.”
Ranger in Charge at the Lake Eildon National Park, Julie Flack said the funding will mean carparks at ramp areas will be able to be resealed and relined making it safer and quicker for the launching and retrieval of boats.
“The number of visitors has been increasing steadily over the last three years with a lot of fishers and recreational users of the lake visiting the area. It will be good to get these projects up and running with works to commence prior to Christmas. It is hoped to complete the works by Easter 2012.”
Dr Sykes said, “This funding is an opportunity to provide great facilities for Victoria’s boating and fishing enthusiasts and to ensure our waterways are safe for all users over the popular summer months.”
The BSFP is funded through a portion of recreational boat operator licensing fees and vessel registration fees, providing money for grants and statewide initiatives. The aim of the program is to make recreational boating safer and more accessible for all Victorians.
For more information about the 2011-12 Boating Safety and Facilities Program contact the Grants Administration Team on 1800 337 222, email boating.grants@transport.vic.gov.au or visit www.transport.vic.gov.au/grants.

Recreational Fishing grants open for projects in north east Victoria
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced the 2011/2012 Recreational Fishing Grants Program is now open.
Dr Sykes said the Baillieu-Ryan Government’s grants program is a great opportunity for community not for profit organisations, angling clubs and associations, schools and other local groups to develop projects which will provide benefits to public recreational fishing.
He said, “The Benalla Electorate has some spectacular waterways and lakes which include the Goulburn, Kiewa, Ovens, Delatite and Broken Rivers and Lakes Eildon, Nillahcootie, William Hovell, Buffalo and Nagambie all of which are popular fishing spots for local and visiting fishers.”
The program this year consists of two parts;
• Small Grants of up to $5,000 for small projects to improve recreational fishing; and
• Large Grants for projects up to $100,000.
“The Small Grants program in particular offers the opportunity to conduct an event to promote responsible fishing practices, improve angling skills and knowledge or increase participation in recreational fishing.
“Events could include a workshop or training session, a ‘come and try’ fishing day, fishing competitions or club promotion days,” Dr Sykes said.
Applications for the Large Grants program could include sustainability and habitat improvements, fishing access and facilities, education and training and related research.
The Small Grants Program is open all year round with a user friendly two page application form and quick turn around, making it easy for angling and other clubs to apply.
The Large Grants Program is open until 29 February 2012.
For further information contact The Secretariat, Recreational Fishing Grants Working Group on 9658 4779.

The Victorian Coalition Government is backing north east Victoria’s tourism industry with plans to hold an open day each year at Fisheries Victoria’s fish hatchery at Snobs Creek.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the annual open day would be held each year on the first weekend of September to coincide with the opening of trout season.

“The open day will provide an opportunity for Victorian families to see first hand what is involved at Snobs Creek’s world class fish production facilities,” Dr Sykes said.

“We envisage the open day will help to draw extra visitors to the region to boost the regional tourism industry and provide added stimulus to the local economy.”

The Snobs Creek hatchery was expanded earlier this year with the addition of a $1.9 million native fish production facility to significantly boost native fish numbers and the reliability of their supply.

“The open day will give visitors a fascinating insight into these facilities and the role they play in stocking Victoria’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs with native fish and other species such as trout,” Dr Sykes said.

The Victorian Coalition Government has also made a commitment to provide items from the former Freshwater Discovery Centre at Snobs Creek of historical interest to the local community.

“Items of historical value to the Eildon community will be provided to either a local historical society or the Murrindindi Shire,” Dr Sykes said.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said the Victorian Government last year stocked a record of more than two million native fish and 706,000 trout and salmon into lakes and rivers to improve inland fishing opportunities for recreational anglers.

Many of those stockings were aimed at supporting the local economy and tourism industry of north east Victoria.

For example, Fisheries Victoria is stocking one million Murray cod into Lake Eildon over three years as a major drawcard for recreational fishers to the area. Earlier this year, 35,000 Murray cod fingerlings were also stocked into the Goulburn River between Seymour and Yea.

“These fish stockings are another the way the Victorian Coalition Government can help the local community recover from the lingering impact of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires as well supporting regional economies more generally,” Mr Walsh said.

 

Geoff Earl, Ed Meggitt, Geoff Hall, Mark Bailey and Bill Sykes MP

A commitment to preventing the recurrence of rapid increases in the temperature of water in the Eildon pondage was the outcome of a meeting of Government agencies and local aquaculture and recreational fishing representatives at Snob’s Creek yesterday.
The meeting was chaired by Member of Benalla, Bill Sykes and included representatives from Goulburn River Trout, Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre, Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, DPI Fisheries Victoria, Environment Protection Authority, AGL Hydro, DSE Water Resources Branch, Goulburn-Murray Water and Eildon Bait and Tackle.
The meeting was called as a result of significant fish kills at Goulburn River Trout and concerns about fish health in the pondage and the Goulburn River when water temperatures rose rapidly to over 25 degrees on a number of occasions last summer.
Dr Sykes said, “Everyone at the meeting agreed that action needed to be taken to address temperature spikes associated with low outflows from Lake Eildon during summer.
“Whilst this occurs infrequently the risk to aquaculture and the local recreational fishing industry is high.”
Dr Mark Bailey from Goulburn-Murray Water is going to work with Mr Geoff Earl from Goulburn Broken CMA to implement strategies to anticipate water temperature increases and act in advance to moderate the rate of increase and the peak temperature.
They will work closely with Mr Ed Meggitt of Goulburn River Trout and Mr Geoff Hall from Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre.
Dr Sykes concluded, “It was pleasing to see the meeting adopt a ‘can do’ approach.
“Dr Bailey and Mr Earl believe that they will be able to work within existing rules to achieve the desired outcomes.
“I will keep a close eye on progress as it is critical that new measures are put in place before next summer.”
Ed Meggitt from Goulburn River Trout said, “There was plenty of good will at the meeting and certainly a recognition by all attendees that a problem exists around water temperatures and low flow rates in summer.
“I have faith that GMW, through Mark Bailey and the CMA, through Geoff Earl will find a solution.”

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said today anglers and members of the public can now enjoy improved access to the upper Goulburn River following the upgrading of access points at four key sites directly downstream of Eildon.

Dr Sykes said the one boat ramp and three angler access points had eroded over time and urgently required investment to bring them back to a good working condition.

“This stretch of the Goulburn River is one of Victoria’s most popular trout fisheries and the access points will create new fishing opportunities,” Dr Sykes said.

“The access point upgrades were funded through the Victorian Government’s bushfire recovery program which continues to invest funds to help attract recreational anglers and tourists back to bushfire affected areas.

“These regions have suffered from drought and bushfires in recent years and rely heavily on income from visiting anglers.

“North-eastern Victoria and in particular the Goulburn River provide world class recreational fishing opportunities and makes a significant contribution to regional tourism, particularly in the Shire of Murrindindi.”

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the infrastructure investment would complement increased fish stocking in Lake Eildon, the Eildon Pondage and the Goulburn River in recent times.

“So far Fisheries Victoria has invested over $230,000 as part of the bushfire recovery project over a number of areas, including stocking,” Mr Walsh said.

The repair and upgrade program was done in collaboration with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.

Fisheries Victoria is pleased that local contractors were able to be engaged to undertake the works.

The upgraded access points are found at the following locations between the Eildon Pondage and Thornton; Point Hill Reserve, Walnuts Reserve and two sites at the Eildon Pondage wall.

Nagambie On Water (NOW), the annual festival to celebrate Lake Nagambie and its environs will include a Fishing Classic as part of this year’s event following a successful application for a Recreational Fishing Grant.
The Nagambie Action Group, who help co-ordinate the festival in conjunction with the NOW Festival Committee are delighted the submission was successful.
Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes said, “The grant of $5,643 means that a Family Fishing Fun Day can now be incorporated into this fantastic festival, which is all about celebrating this beautiful region and increasing tourism in the area.”
Dr Sykes said that recreational fishing is an important tourist attraction for many areas throughout north east Victoria.
“The Fishing Classic, as part of the NOW Festival and the Nagambie Angling Club, will be a great asset not only to the Nagambie district but also the recreational fishing industry.
“The Liberal Nationals Coalition have committed to working toward increased opportunities and activities for recreational fishing.
“For example I recently participated in the release of 30,000 Murray Cod fingerlings into Lake Eildon which will provide a significant tourism boost for recreation fishers in years to come.”
The Nagambie on Water Festival takes place on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March 2011. The Fishing Classic event will be held on Sunday 6 March between 8am and 3pm and includes:-
• Flathead Fred – who will teach young people good manners and behaviour when fishing, along with skills and tips for catching Flathead;
• Keen fisher people of all ages can bring in their catch to be weighed and measured and receive information on responsible fishing practices;
• Fly fishing demonstrations by James Nicholson, a 17 year old up and coming fly fisherman along with representatives from Victorian Fly Fishing Clubs; and
• VRFish will provide information about the organisation and how people can assist fishing in the region.
For further information on the Now Festival and the Fishing Classic go to www.nagambieonwater.com.au.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes is encouraging local individuals, groups and organisations take advantage of the 2010/11 Recreational Fishing Grants Program (RFGP).
“If you’ve got a great project that will improve recreational fishing in our region, apply for a Recreational Fishing Grant,” Dr Sykes said.
“Fishing is a popular pastime and major economic and social contributor in the Benalla Electorate.
“The Goulburn and Broken River systems and Lake Eildon provide good fishing and this is a great opportunity for clubs and groups to obtain funds to improve the facilities and habitat.
“I have recently met with angling and recreational fishing groups throughout north east Victoria to discuss recreational fishing issues and policy.
“These groups are passionate about recreational fishing and maintaining a healthy environment and good infrastructure to ensure the longevity of this pastime.”
The RFGP consists of two separate grants programs:
1. A Small Grants program that is continually open to fund projects up to $5000
2. A Large Grants Program for projects from $5001 to $100,000

Funding is available in four categories, with the exclusive aim of improving recreational fishing in Victoria and includes:
• recreational fishing access and facilities;
• recreational fisheries' sustainability and habitat improvement;
• recreational fisheries-related education, information and training; and
• Recreational fisheries related research.

Dr Sykes said in past years, successful projects in northern Victoria have included erecting signage and electronically tagging fish for tracking purposes as well as improving access points on local rivers.
“If you do have a good idea then get your angling club, association, local council, Catchment Management Authority or the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish) to support and submit the application,” Dr Sykes said.
Applications for the Large Grants must be submitted by close of business on 31 March 2011.
To obtain a copy of the guidelines and application form contact Dr Sykes’ office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla or phone 5762 2100. Further information is available from The Secretariat, Recreational Fishing Grants Program, Fisheries Victoria GPO Box 4440 MELBOURNE 3001; or email rec.fishinggrants@dpi.vic.gov.au

Peter Walsh, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Water and Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla met local recreation fishing enthusiasts this week in Eildon.
Gary Constantine, Norm King and Chris Petersen highlighted to Peter and Bill the importance of generous stocking of the waterways and Lake Eildon with good size fish.
Other issues raised by Gary, Norm and Chris included the management of the pondage and the outflows from Lake Eildon to maximise the success rate of natural spawning in the river. Clearly, this is a complex issue given the priorities of water releases from Lake Eildon are water for irrigators and power generation.
Peter Walsh was most impressed by the enthusiasm and knowledge of the locals and undertook to incorporate their ideas into the Coalition’s Recreation Fishing Policy.
Bill Sykes said, “The only disappointment of our visit was noting the original text in the Big Fi$h Competition Handbook which stated “Do not provoke protestors – major risk – Pipeline protestors”.
He said, “I think that this is outrageously misleading by the Brumby Government. While I understand the Event Coordinator has since sought to withdraw the reference to Pipeline protestors it highlights yet again the lengths that Mr Brumby will go to, to discredit Plug The Pipe campaigners and try to win support for his ill conceived $750 million white elephant North-South Pipeline.
Hang your head in shame Mr Brumby.