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Home , Echuca, Gippsland, Gippsland Lakes, Loddon River, Murrabit, Wimmera

CONFIRMING ’S BOATING PRIORITIES North Central

betterboating.vic.gov.au NORTH CENTRAL

2 betterboating.vic.gov.au BETTER BOATING VICTORIA: Identifying and prioritising your recreational boating requirements

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Introducing the Better Boating Fund

The Victorian Government has established the Better Boating Fund. The amount going into the Better Boating Fund will be the equivalent of all revenue generated from marine licences and vessel registration. We are developing the Victorian Recreational We’ve analysed your feedback and consolidated Boating Strategy to provide an overarching it across eight Victorian districts – this vision and plan to ensure our recreational document focuses on the North Central. We now boating priorities are identified and prioritised, need boaters to confirm boating priorities so we so funding is allocated accordingly when the can build this into a draft Victorian Recreational Better Boating Fund commences on 1 July 2021. Boating Strategy that we will seek feedback mid-year. We have started developing the strategy and have already consulted with key stakeholders We have highlighted the priorities you have and boating users to identify the priorities. identified as important and seek your feedback This public consultation took place between on the questions presented in each priority area. 29 January – 20 February 2021 via an You can complete these questions by visiting: online survey. engage.vic.gov.au/rec-boating-strategy

WIMMERA AND

NORTH GOULBURN NORTH CENTRAL BROKEN EAST

EAST

SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH AND

2 betterboating.vic.gov.au Overview of North Central

13% The is an area of diverse landscapes and land-use that covers 13% of the state. It is bordered by The North Central region covers the to the north, which 13% of the state injects life into the land around it, the and State Forest to the south and Mt Camel Range to the east. The region’s main waterways are the Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Avon-Richardson rivers, which form part of the Murray-Darling Basin. Major reservoirs include Eppalock, Upper Coliban, Lauriston, Malmsbury, Hepburn , Newlyn, Cairn Curran, Tullaroop and Laanecoorie. The region is also rich in The region is bordered by the Murray Indigenous and European cultural heritage. River, Great Dividing Range, and Mt Camel Range

The region is rich in Indigenous and European cultural heritage

The main waterways are Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Avon‑Richardson rivers

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Economic benefits

The North Central district covers 30,000 square kilometres (13% of the state). It is home to 250,000 people concentrated in the growing regional hub of and the townships of , , Charlton, Donald, St Arnaud, Maryborough, Castlemaine, Kyneton and Heathcote. The district is valued for its internationally recognised environmental assets and supports a diverse agriculture sector.

Land is used mainly for agriculture and horticulture. Major features of the region include the , National and state parks, and various wineries.

Recreational licensing Age General and vessel analysis Above 80

66 - 80 There are 26,000+ licence 56 - 65 holders registered in the North Central District. 46 - 55 36 - 45

26 - 35

16 - 25

Restricted

12 - 15

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

General - Male General - Female PWC Endorsed - Male PWC Endorsed - Female

Vessel types registered in this district, there are 15,000+ in the Open (88.7%) North Central District. Personal Water Craft (4.7%)

Half Cabin (4.6%)

Cabin Cruiser (0.7%)

Trailer Sailer (0.5%)

Yacht (Keel Boat) (0.4%)

Houseboat (0.2%)

Hovercraft (0.1%)

Canoe (0.0%)

4 betterboating.vic.gov.au Existing access facilities There are more than 55 formal public recreational boating facilities located across North Central District. These facilities are primarily managed by Goulburn Murry Water as the facility and waterway manager. Other facilities are managed by Crown land committees of management, including local councils and committees of management.

Popularity Based on peak summer period, the Boating Vic website was analysed for ramp popularity with results as follows:

(1) (5) (2) (4) (11) Boating Victoria Page Views (3) (6) (9) (7) (Nov 2019 – Feb 2021) (8) (10) (14) (13) Moderate (12) (15) Low (16) (17) (18) Very Low (19) (20) (23) No Data (21) (24) (22) (25)

(26) (27) (29) (28)

(30) (31)

(39) (32)

(33) (40) (34)

(35) (37) (36) (38)

(41) (53) (54) (42) (43) (55) (50) (44) (56) (51) (57) (45) (52) (58) (46) (47) (49)

(48)

(59) (60)

1. L. Boga – Lakeside Dr 16. Gunbower Ck – Cohuna Island Rd 32. Skinners Flat Res. 48. Tullaroop Res. 2. L. Boga – Jacaranda Cr 17. Gunbower Ck – Cohuna Island Rd 33. L. Cope Cope 49. Cairn Curran – Welshman Reef 3. L. Boga – Caravan Park 18. Gunbower Ck – Daltons Rd 34. L. Batyo Catyo 50. L. Eppalock – Kimbolton 4. L. Boga – Ski Club 19. L. Meran 35. Walkers Lake 51. Barkers Creek Res. 5. Murray River – Brookes Lane 20. Murray R – Gunbower Island 36. Loddon R – Caravan Park 52. L. Eppalock – Holiday Park 6. Lake – Caravan Park 21. Murray R – Weir 37. Loddon R – Calder Hwy Bridge 53. L. Eppalock – Kimbolton 7. Kangaroo Lake – Gorton Point 22. Murray R – Torrumbarry Weir 38. Loddon R – Calder Hwy Bridge 54. L. Eppalock – Lake Shore CP 8. L. Charm – Power Boat Club 23. Gunbower Ck – Brereton Rd 39. Campaspe R – Rochester 55. L. Eppalock – Derrinal Pool 9. Kangaroo Lake – Beadles Point 24. Murray R – Torrumbarry Weir 40. Campaspe R – Aysons Reserve 56. L. Eppalock – 10. L. Charm – Pelican Waters 25. Murray R – Torrumbarry Weir 41. Laanecoorie – Camping Gnd Moorabbee Lodge CP 11. Murray River – 26. Murray R – Farleys Rd Wharparilla 42. Laanecoorie – Ankers Causeway 57. L. Eppalock – Point King Gonns Crossing 27. Murray R – Wills Bend 43. Laanecoorie – Brown Bills 58. L. Eppalock – Metcalfe Pool CP 12. 28. Little Lake Boort 44. Laanecoorie – Brown Bills 59. Upper Coliban Res. – Kyneton Rd 13. Murray R – 29. Little Lake Boort – Boat Arcs 45. Laanecoorie – Brown Bills 60. Upper Coliban Res. – 14. Gunbower Ck – Koondrook 30. Wooroonook 46. Cairn Curran – Whitlock Road Premier Mine Rd 15. Gunbower Ck – Spences Bridge Rd 31. Avoca R – Charlton 47. Cairn Curran – Picnic Point

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Economic benefits

Future demand North Central As boating continues to grow in popularity, Throughout various discussions, supported by pressures on existing boating facilities are feedback you gave us in a public consultation likely to increase and require improvements that took place between 29 January – to facilities. Key issues for the North Central 20 February 2021, we’ve heard that the District include the changing water levels in boating experience needs to be enhanced. our rivers and storages. Reversing of vehicles Improvements to recreational boating across can be significant during times of low water the North Central District include the following: levels, which puts a stronger emphasis on throughput and circulation of traffic flow. Navigational safety signage and markers Maintenance of facilities around, above and below water hazards is also particularly important for this region New facility/upgraded facilities as varying water levels can increase risks and trigger waterway rule changes. Facility renewal

Access

Boating safety and education

Marine search and rescue

Boating promotion

6 betterboating.vic.gov.au Maintenance of facilities

A review of management of boating facilities identified the value of local knowledge that asset managers hold, and the opportunities around providing more support and improved funding options to asset managers.

It is proposed that in the short term, Better Boating Victoria will lead improvements by providing additional support to asset managers and undertaking activities such as development of an asset management framework, maintenance and design guidelines, and provision of additional funding for maintenance through the Better Boating Fund.

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New facility/upgraded facilities

The demand for new facilities will continue to increase as the population grows, and as new waterways are made available for access.

The majority of North Central District facilities do not have formalised car parking. To improve carparking and reduce congestion, we need to find opportunities to formalise ramp circulation, flow and carparking. This will also reduce the need to back boat trailers over long distances. Extra ramp lanes are needed in some locations to disperse bottlenecks that occur during peak launching and retrieval periods

It is proposed that the following are considered for new developments including improved carparking, longer jetties/pontoons and extra ramp lanes to disperse bottlenecks that occur during peak launching and retrieval periods.

Legend Proposed longer pontoon/jetty Proposed additional ramp lanes

Murray River - Torrumbarry Weir

Murray River - Wharparilla

Laanecoorie - Brown Bills - Kimbolton Lake Eppalock - Durrinal Pool Lake Eppalock - Kirrang Point Lake Eppalock - Point King Cairn Curran - Woolshed Bay

Cairn Curran - Whitlock Road

Tullaroop Reservoir

8 betterboating.vic.gov.au Facility renewal

To improve the condition of our public boat ramps, a rolling program of renewals and upgrades is required. We have identified a program based on recent visual condition assessments combined with existing boating hierarchy.

It is proposed that public boating facilities across the North Central District are renewed in order of the following priorities.

(1) (5) (2) (4) (8) Legend (3) (9) (6) (10) High (11) (7) (13) (14) Medium (12) (15) Low (16) (17) (18) (25) (19) (20) (21) (22)

(23) (24) (26) (27)

(28)

(30) (29)

(31)

(32) (34) (33) (35)

(46) (38) (47) (36) (39) (48) (44) (37) (49) (45) (50) (40) (51) (41) (42) (43)

1. L. Boga – Lakeside Dr 14. Gunbower Ck – Koondrook 28. Wooroonook Lakes 42. Cairn Curran – Welshman Reef 2. L. Boga – Jacaranda Cr 15. Gunbower Ck – Spences Bridge Rd 29. Skinners Flat Res. 43. Tullaroop Res. 3. L. Boga – Caravan Park 16. Gunbower Ck – Cohuna Island Rd 30. Campaspe R – Rochester 44. L. Eppalock – Kimbolton 4. L. Boga – Ski Club 17. Gunbower Ck – Cohuna Island Rd 31. L. Batyo Catyo 45. L. Eppalock – Holiday Park 5. Murray River – Brookes Lane 18. Gunbower Ck – Daltons Rd 32. Walkers Lake 46. L. Eppalock – Kimbolton 6. Kangaroo Lake – Beadles Point 19. Gunbower Ck – Brereton Rd 33. Loddon R – Caravan Park 47. L. Eppalock – Lake Shore CP 7. L. Charm – Pelican Waters 20. Murray R – Torrumbarry Weir 34. Loddon R – Calder Hwy Bridge 48. L. Eppalock – Derrinal Pool 8. Murray River – 21. Murray R – Torrumbarry Weir 35. Loddon R – Sweeneys Lane 49. L. Eppalock – Murrabit Gonns Crossing 22. Murray R – Headworks Rd 36. Laanecoorie – Ankers Causeway Moorabbee Lodge CP 9. Kangaroo Lake – Caravan Park 23. Murray R – Farleys Rd Wharparilla 37. Laanecoorie – Bendigo Rd 50. L. Eppalock – Point King 10. Kangaroo Lake – Gorton Point 24. Murray R – Wills Bend 38. Laanecoorie – Camping Gnd 51. L. Eppalock – Metcalfe Pool C 11. L. Charm – Power Boat Club 25. L. Meran 39. Laanecoorie – Brown Bills 12. Reedy Lake 26. Little Lake Boort 40. Cairn Curran – Woolshed Bay 13. Murray R – Koondrook 27. Little Lake Boort – Boat Arcs 41. Cairn Curran – Whitlock Road

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Access

Navigation A well-managed waterway assists in providing greater accessibility and equity of use to waterway users through the appropriate separation of activity types (swimming versus powered vessels), appropriate rules, aids to navigation, visible and useful signage, dredging and a balanced compliance, enforcement and education approach.

The provision of navigational aids and signage is an essential safety service to reduce the high risk of collisions. This is particularly important in the North Central District due to above and below water hazards and varying water levels.

It is proposed that a program be developed to continue to support signage and aids to navigation for asset managers.

Universal design/all-abilities access Victoria currently has four public boating facilities with equipment to help people with limited mobility get in and out of boats to access our waterways. To ensure more people have access to waterways at our public boating facilities, we’re looking to expand our accessible network across a greater geographical area within Victoria.

Murray River - Legend Existing

Proposed

Murray River -

Goulburn River

Wimmera River - Horsham

Mallacoota - - Lakes Entrance

Blue Rock Lake

Seacombe –

Port Albert Port Welshpool

10 betterboating.vic.gov.au Boating safety and education

As on-water recreational pursuits such as boating become more popular, congestion and competition for space among different waterway users increases and creates greater safety risks.

Ongoing education regarding boating safety and vessel operation is critical to reducing injuries and fatalities.

It is proposed that boating education programs continue to be developed and translated into other languages to assist the culturally and linguistically diverse boating community.

Boating Vic cameras Boating Vic app can be checked before leaving home to confirm parking availability and business of facility. To ensure more boaters can make informed decisions at the touch of a button, we’re now planning to launch additional Boating Vic ramp cameras at more key boating hotspots.

Legend Existing Camera Location Planned Camera Location Potential Camera Location

Waranga Basin – Harrimans Point Ramp Lake Nagambie Regatta Centre Ramp Lake Nagambie Loddings Lane Ramp Lake Eppalock Kimbolton Ramp

Lake Eildon – Dethridge Point Ramp Lake Eildon Jerusalem Creek Ramp

Mallacoota Allan Dr Ramp Johnsonville Punt Rd Ramp Nicholson Ramp Cape Conran Ramp Paynesville Esplanade Ramp Lakes Entrance North Paynesville King St Ramp Arm Apex Park Ramp Ocean Grove Ramp Loch Sport Victoria Pde Ramp Metang Ramp Portland Harbour Port Fairy Torquay Ramp Hastings Ramp Stony Point Ramp Corinella Ramp Rhyll Ramp Newhaven Seaview St Ramp Warrnambool Lady Bay Ramp Inverloch NAV Mcloughlins Beach Ramp Aid Bar Crossing Inverloch Ramp Apollo Bay Breakwater Rd Ramp Manns Beach Ramp Port Welshpool Ramp Ramp

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Marine search and rescue

From 2015 to 2020 (FY) there have been 35 recorded marine incidents in the North Central District.

Victorian boaters rely on our Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) units to respond in these circumstances. Majority of our MSAR function is volunteer. However, we need to ensure that our volunteers have vessels, fuel and a base to respond to our boaters.

It is proposed that a program be developed to continue to support MSAR across the North Central District

12 betterboating.vic.gov.au Boating promotion

Boating contributes significant benefits to Victoria’s recreational and community life. The marine industry contributes an estimated $4.5 billion per annum to the Victoria’s economy and employs more than 18,000 people and is a recreation source for hundreds of thousands of Victorians. Additionally, recreational fishing is enjoyed by 258,000 people in Victoria, many in boats, and employs 8,000 people.

It is proposed that a boating promotion program is developed that continues to support the industry and promotes the boating experience, tourism and economy.

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Next steps

Thank you for taking the time to read this discussion paper and for completing the questions associated with it at: engage.vic.gov.au/rec-boating-strategy We are undertaking consultation across eight districts in Victoria to confirm which priorities are essential so we can build this into a draft Victorian Recreational Boating Strategy that we will seek further feedback mid-year.

We also plan on releasing the first of a series of action plans in mid-2021 that will identify how the Better Boating Fund will be allocated in 2021-22.

For more information about this consultation, please visit: engage.vic.gov.au/rec-boating-strategy

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