The Andrews Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to get more people out on the water by scrapping parking and launching fees on the Mornington Peninsula.
Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford and Member for Nepean Chris Brayne visited the Rye boat ramp today to announce parking and launching fees at Mornington Peninsula Shire boat ramps will be removed.
Boat ramps at the Mornington Schnapper Point & Fishermans Beach, Rye, Safety Beach, Sorrento and Hastings boat ramps will be abolished from today. The Tootgarook boat ramp will also be free from 1 September, and the Anthony’s Nose ramp at Dromana will be free when the ramp reopens in Summer.
The costs of parking and launch fees can make a day on the bay more expensive than it should be. That’s why the Labor Government promised to remove launching and parking fees at all public boat ramps across the state.
The abolition of fees at the Rye boat ramp is the first step in delivering on this major election commitment and will save boaters up to $135 a year for an annual launching permit on the Mornington Peninsula.
In another win for boaters on the Mornington Peninsula, the Hastings Boat Ramp will be upgraded as part of the Government’s unprecedented investment in boating and fishing, which also includes ensuring every dollar of licence and registration revenue goes towards improving boating facilities and safety.
The boat ramp at Tootgarook will also undergo much needed dredging to remove sand in time for Spring.
Boat ramps at Port Welshpool, Portland, Corinella, Lake Nagambie, Torquay, Altona, Newport, Tooradin and Lake Eildon are also now free, as well as four ramps managed by Bass Coast Shire Council.
Better Boating Victoria is overseeing these commitments and is building on the success of the Labor Government’s record investment in the Target One Million program which includes a huge boost to fish stocking, a new native fish hatchery and better planning for fishing tourism.
For more information visit transport.vic.gov.au/betterboating.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Fishing and Boating Jaala Pulford
“We’ve listened to boaters and are delivering on our commitment to scrap parking and launching fees – making it cheaper and easier more for more Victorians to get involved in recreational boating and fishing.”
“Free public boat ramps across the Mornington Peninsula will help get more people on the water, enjoying everything our bays have to offer.”
Quote attributable to Member for Nepean Chris Brayne
“This is fantastic for local boaters who want to get out on the water – it’ll not only help more people to get out and enjoy the fantastic bays in our electorate, but also boost our local economy.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020