CONFIRMING VICTORIA’S BOATING PRIORITIES

betterboating.vic.gov.au EAST GIPPSLAND

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 districts across Victoria – this vision and plan to ensure our recreational document focuses on East Gippsland. We now boating priorities are identified and prioritised, need boaters to confirm boating priorities so funding is allocated accordingly when the so we can build this into a draft Victorian Better Boating Fund commences on 1 July 2021. Recreational 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 MALLEE

NORTH GOULBURN NORTH CENTRAL BROKEN EAST

EAST GIPPSLAND

SOUTH WEST PORT PHILLIP AND WESTERN PORT SOUTH AND

2 betterboating.vic.gov.au Overview of East Gippsland

2.2 million The East Gippsland region is comprised of 2.2 million hectares of land, lakes and coastal waters and The East Gippsland region is comprised covers about 10% of Victoria. of 2.2 million hectares of land The region contains wetlands, six declared Heritage Rivers, and many national parks and reserves. A large proportion (83%) of the region is public land, stretching from sub-alpine environments to the coast.

East Gippsland’s region offers a variety of natural phenomenon including a unique eco‑system found in Australia’s Coastal Wilderness, spectacular majesty of rugged mountains threaded through by the Great Alpine Road and a vast array of waterways that make up the The region consist of 6 declared Gippsland Lakes. The lakes system is considered Heritage Rivers the largest inland Lakes in Australia and is a very popular boating destination.

83%

83% of the region is public land, stretching from the sub-alpine environments to the coast

The lakes system is considered the largest inland lakes in Australia

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Economic benefits

East Gippsland provides an ideal place to mix business opportunity with quality of life that 47,316 people call home, supports 16,539 jobs and has an annual economic output of $4.948 billion.

The region is situated between Australia’s two major commercial hubs and ports in Melbourne and Sydney and is rich in natural resources and brimming with economic potential.

Lakes Entrance is the home of one of Australia’s largest fishing fleets, while Mallacoota is the base of a significant abalone industry. The Gippsland Lakes provide a major hub for tourism, particularly for recreational boating and fishing enthusiasts.

Recreational licensing Age General and vessel analysis Above 80

There are 117,000+ licence 66 - 80 holders registered in the East 56 - 65 Gippsland district. 46 - 55

36 - 45

26 - 35

16 - 25

Restricted

12 - 15

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500

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

Vessel types registered in this district, there are 8,000+ in East Open (60.8%) Gippsland district.

Half Cabin (18.6%)

Cabin Cruiser (9.7%)

Personal Water Craft (4.5%)

Yacht (Keel Boat) (3.1%)

Trailer Sailer (2.6%)

Hovercraft (0.4%)

Houseboat (0.2%)

Canoe (0.1%)

4 betterboating.vic.gov.au Existing access facilities There are more than 40 formal public recreational boating facilities located across the East Gippsland region. These facilities are for the most part managed by East Gippsland Shire, Parks Victoria and Gippsland Ports.

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

Legend High Moderate Low Very Low

Gipsy Point Karbeethong Mallacoota – Allan Dr Betka River Inlet Mallacoota Snowy R – Lochend – Allan Dr Bastion Pt Brodribb R – Old Marlo Rd Bemm River West Johnsonville – Punt Rd Nowa Nowa – Launching Rd Bemm River East Tamboon Inlet – Furnell Landing Nicholson Marlo – Beach Rd Tamboon Inlet Marlo – Yacht Club Lake Tyres – Mill Point Rd Cape Conran Lake Tyres – Fishermans Landing Lake Tyres – Lakeside Dr Snowy R – Corringle

(See Inset)

North Arm – North Arm Eagle Point – Rivermouth Rd Apex Park – East Nungurner Eagle Point – Boat Rd Paynesville – Fort King North Arm – Fishing Club Paynesville – King St – Shaving Point Paynesville – Esplanade Birrell Peninsula Inset

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Economic benefits

Future demand East Gippsland As boating tourism continues to grow, pressures Throughout various discussions, supported by on existing boating facilities is likely to increase feedback you gave us in a public consultation and require improvements including upgrading that took place between 29 January – pontoons and jetties, formalising carparking, 20 February 2021, we’ve heard that the and ramp throughput during peak periods. boating experience needs to be enhanced. Additional moorings and berthings are also Improvements to recreational boating across required to provide added capacity during East Gippsland include the following: the peak season. Maintenance of facilities

New facilities/upgraded facilities

Facility renewal

Berthing and moorings

Access

Marine search and rescue

Boating safety and education

Boating promotion

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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 Better Boating Victoria will lead improvements by providing additional support to asset managers and undertaking activities such as development of maintenance and design guidelines, and provision of additional funding for maintenance through the Better Boating Fund.

8 betterboating.vic.gov.au New facilities/upgraded facilities

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

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 new facility Proposed overflow carpark improvements Proposed longer pontoon/jetty Proposed additional ramp lanes

Lake Tyres – Nowa Nowa

Brodribb R – Old Marlo Rd

Cape Conran Lake Tyres – Mill Point Rd Marlo – Beach Rd Swan Reach – Tambo River

Eagle Point – Boat Ramp Rd Lakes Entrance – North Arm Apex Park

Metung Shaving Point

Paynesville – Esplanade

Paynesville – Slip Rd

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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 the condition of facilities and ramp popularity that is based on discussions with asset managers.

It is proposed that public boating facilities around East Gippsland are renewed in order of the following priorities:

Legend

High Medium Low Current renewal

Gipsy Point Karbeethong

Mallacoota Betka River Inlet – Allan Dr Bastion Point

Nowa Nowa – Launching Rd Snowy R – Lochend Bemm River East Bemm River West Tamboon Inlet – Furnell Landing Snowy R – Corringle Brodribb R – Old Marlo Rd Nicholson Tamboon Inlet Lake Tyers – Mill Point Rd Cape Conran Lake Tyers – Lakeside Rd Marlo – Yacht Club Bairnsdale Lake Tyers – Fishermans Landing

(See Inset 2) Inset 1 Inset 2 Eagle Point – Rivermouth Rd Johnsonville – Punt Rd

(See Inset 1) Eagle Point – Boat Rd Paynesville - Fort King Nungurner Paynesville – King St North Arm – East Paynesville – Sunset Dr North Arm Fishing Club Paynesville Metung – Shaving Point Esplanade Raymond Birrell Peninsula Island

10 betterboating.vic.gov.au Berthing and moorings

Additional destination berths as well as moorings are required across East Gippsland, to continue to enhance the boating experience and reduce congestion during peak summer periods. Opportunities for public visitor berths should also be considered.

It is proposed that opportunities to provide additional moorings and berthings are provided at the following locations:

Legend

Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3

Lakes Entrance Transient Berthing east of Bank Jetty Myer St Landing Mitchell River Lower Landing Cunningham Arm Bullock Island Destination Jetty in North Arm

Cunningham Arm Footbridge - Surf Club Side Destination Jetty Paynesville Transient Berthing Squatters Row Barrier Landing additional Progress Jetty - Paynesville Raymond Island Public Jetty pontoon Jetty

Raymond Island – Additional Destination Jetty

Duck Arm Destination Jetty Steamer Landing Bunga Arm

Emu Bight Destination Jetty

Loch Sport

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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.

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.

It is proposedMurray River that- Mildura new access davits and pontoons are provided at Lakes Entrance, Mallacoota and Metung.

Legend

Existing Murray River - Lake Mulwala Proposed

Goulburn River

Wimmera River - Horsham Lake Nagambie

Mallacoota Lake Wendouree - Ballarat Bemm River Gippsland Lakes - Lakes Entrance

Blue Rock Lake Metung

Seacombe Hopkins River – Warrnambool

Port Albert Port Welshpool

12 betterboating.vic.gov.au Marine search and rescue

From 2015 to 2020 (FY) there have been 681 recorded marine incidents across East Gippsland.

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 East Gippsland.

Legend MSAR Unit

Mallacoota - VF15

Marlo - VF21

Lakes Entrance - VF18 Paynesville - VF22

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Boating safety and education

Many waterways in the region are dynamic and heavily utilised year-round with numbers peaking during the warmer months. 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.

It is proposed to expand the current network to new locations as identified below.

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 Port Albert Ramp

14 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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