- Published:
- Wednesday 16 March 2016
The Andrews Labor Government today invited recreational fishers to have their say on proposed changes to Victoria’s recreational fishing licensing system.
Every cent from licence fees goes back into projects to improve recreational fishing opportunities.
Under proposed changes, the price of recreational fishing licences will increase from July 1 this year and extra revenue generated will be spent on boosting recreational fishing.
Recreational fishing licence fees have not increased since 2008, and since 1999 the price of a one-year licence has only increased from $20 to $24.50. Only two increases in twenty years.
The current two-day licence ($6) will be replaced with a three-day licence for $10, and a 28-day licence will increase from $12 to $20.
A one-year licence will increase from $24.50 to $35, in line with the NSW licence fee, and a three-year licence will rise from $66 to $95.
If purchased online, the one and three year licences will be discounted to $33 and $90 respectively, and anglers will continue to receive a plastic licence in the mail, as they have since November 2015 when plastic licences were introduced.
There will be no changes to exemptions and children under 18 will continue to fish for free.
A five week public consultation period on the changes began today with the release of a Regulatory Impact Statement and draft amendment regulations, which are available online along with more information about the changes.
For more information, visit: www.vic.gov.au/RFLchanges
Submissions close on 19 April, 2016.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
"Extra revenue will increase fish stocking, improve boating facilities, create better access, commercial netting removal and help create a better fishing experience in more places.”
“I am inviting fishers to have their say about how we can continue to boost recreational fishing.”
“By improving fishing opportunities we will increase the number of recreational fishers to one million, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and strengthening our rural and regional communities.”