Fishing body argues for public access

Sep 14, 2022

Public access: Victorian Recreational Fishing, the peak Victorian fishing body, is standing firm against a bill that may allow landowners to prevent access to waterways for fishers. Photo by Megan Fisher

Victorian Recreational Fishing has described the proposed access to water frontages bill that could prevent access to some areas of the state’s waterways as “draconian’’.

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The state’s recreational fishing peak body, which represents more than one million fishers, has vowed to never support regulations that permit licence holders of Crown land to dictate if, when and where fishers can enjoy fishing and camping with their families and friends.

VRFish chairperson Rob Loats said the current Land Amendment (Accessing Licensed Water Frontages) Bill 2022 must be viewed as a direct and “draconian attack” on recreational users and other public land users.

“The current bill removes the current statutory protections that rightly maintain public access to our public land to licensed water frontages and grazing licences, now and for decades to come,” Mr Loats said.

He said recreational fishing contributed more than $7.5 billion to Victoria’s economy annually.

“Further to this, a recent survey conducted by VRFish identifies over 70 per cent of fishers are land-based. This clearly demonstrates the value recreational fishing contributes while fishing beside a stream, river or creek,” he said.

“The Crown Land Act is clear and precise when it comes to the public right to access this land and attempting to change this reciprocal right into private hands is basically selling the community of Victoria completely out to private landholders who are extremely privileged to be granted a grazing licence and access to water for a pittance fee.

“Currently, recreational users are losing access at an alarming rate by being locked out of public roads and public access points that lead to both licensed and public Crown land.

“VRFish calls on all sides of government to address this issue as a matter of urgency.

“The current Victorian Government has moved to address this situation, but it’s clear far more access opportunities must be opened for camping, recreational activities and vehicle access.

“The question being asked on many occasions by fishers is, ‘Why do livestock take precedence over the public?’ After all, this is public Crown land for public enjoyment and purposes.”

VRFish has written to all upper house members urging them to reject the current Land Amendment Bill and directly urged recreational fishers and organisations to do the same.

“It’s clearly in the interests of the public good that this bill must be defeated,” Mr Loats said.

By McPherson Media Group