Monday 10th September 2018
Our state’s waterways are weekend playgrounds for millions of Victorians.
That’s why a Liberal Nationals Government will create a Blue Infrastructure Fund that will provide firstclass infrastructure and services for recreational water users.
At the moment Victorian boat users pay significant fees to the State Government every year but only a portion of that money is invested back into better infrastructure and services for water users.
Under a Liberal Nationals Government the Blue Infrastructure Fund will return all proceeds of collected boating fees into better facilities for the boating community.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said the Blue Infrastructure Fund will invest in infrastructure that will improve access enjoyment and protection of Victoria’s inland and coastal waterways.
“Thousands of people in the Murray Plains electorate love recreational boating and fishing and as well as being great fun for the whole family these activities are important contributors to our local economies.
“The Liberal Nationals in government will deliver a fair go for boaties and recreational fishers by making sure their licence and other fees are spent on upgrading and building the things they want like more boat ramps jetties navigational lighting and onshore facilities such as bigger car parks.
“This investment will be right across our state ‘“ from our bays and coastal communities to our inland lakes and rivers” Mr Walsh said.
Boat owners raise significant revenue for the Victorian Government through boat licensing and other charges. In 2016/17 the Andrews Labor Government returned just 11.6 per cent of the $27.7 million annual boating revenue on boating infrastructure. The $3.23 million spent by Labor compares to investment in New South Wales of $17 million and in Queensland of $15 million annually.
Recreational boating is estimated to contribute $4.5 billion to the Victorian economy each year. This is underpinned by 193 000 registered boat owners 1 million boating participants annually and 17 700 fulltime jobs.