Every year the Victorian Government, through the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Account, disburses revenue derived from the sale of Recreational Fishing Licences to projects that will improve recreational fishing in Victoria.

Funds will be provided for projects that benefit public recreational fishing in Victoria in the following categories:

• Recreational fishing access and facilities;
• Recreational fisheries' sustainability and habitat improvement;
• Recreational fishing-related education, information and training;
• and Recreational fisheries research.

The maximum amount of funding available per project under the Large Grants Program is $100,000 (GST exclusive) per year. Only 90% of grant funding will initially be allocated for a project, with the remaining 10% of funds to be allocated on the timely and satisfactory completion of the project. 

Large Grant Program Objectives

In all cases, the public benefits of the project to recreational fishers must be clearly defined and supported. Projects, in the following categories, that implement the following objectives may be given priority for grant funding.

Category 1 - Recreational fishing access and facilities (including improvements to recreational boating-related infrastructure, where a clear benefit to boat-based recreational fishing can be demonstrated).

Projects that could expect favourable consideration would include those that:

• Provide easy, safe and efficient access to public waters
• Improve facilities in areas of high current or expected recreational fishing demand
• Provide facilities for users from an identified wide catchment area
• Provide all-weather facilities at selected sites
• Have designs which minimise maintenance costs, and
• Include appropriate signage (for which funding is also available, as part of the project cost).

Projects that would not receive favourable consideration:

• Provision of access for select groups only (other than those with special needs), or construction of facilities that are not open and freely accessible to the fishing public.
• RFL revenue will not be allocated to fund the purchase of any club equipment (e.g. fishing rods, fishing reels, IT equipment, audio visual equipment such as cameras, DVD players etc.).

Category 2 - Recreational fisheries sustainability and habitat improvement

Projects in this category must be designed with a clearly defined objective that will result in the maintenance or improvement of recreational fisher catches. Projects that assess recreational fisher catches for the above purposes or that assess the success of a project in this category would be eligible.

Projects that could expect favourable consideration would include:

• Fish habitat improvement programs for recreational fish species, and
• Assessment of recreational fisher catches and use patterns.

Projects that would not receive favourable consideration, or would be considered a low priority include:

• Assessments that do not identify a clear end-benefit for recreational fishers.

Category 3 – Recreational fisheries related education, information and training Projects should be designed to improve the practices, procedures and experiences of recreational fishers, and to preserve the rich heritage of this recreational pursuit.

Projects that could expect favourable consideration would include:

• Development of educational programs designed to promote recreational fishing and good recreational fishing codes of practice
• Development of displays to promote recreational fishing and/or educate the public on recreational fishing
• Running of specific-purpose events, field days or training programs (which may include the participation of Fishcare Victoria) on recreational fishing
• Preservation of angling history in various forms, or
• Assessment of new techniques for fishing and transfer of information to recreational fishers.

Projects that would not receive favourable consideration, or would be considered a low priority include:

• Projects that have a very narrow focus
• Materials developed for a primarily commercial purpose, and/or
• Recreational fishing competitions and associated prizes.

Category 4 – Recreational fisheries research

Projects considered for inclusion in the research category must be designed to provide practical knowledge to enable better management of recreational target fish species in Victorian waters. Research projects will be expected to have fisheries research professionals or principal investigators, although such professionals can be engaged by project proponents to conduct research activities on their behalf.

• Projects that could expect favourable consideration would include:
• Research on biology and habitat use of recreational fish species
• Research on response to, and impacts of fishing on recreational fish species
• Evaluation of the success of fish habitat improvement programs
• Evaluation of specific recreational fish stocking programs
• Investigations of the impacts of environmental factors on recreational fisheries, and/or
• Research on the social and economic impacts of recreational fisheries.

Projects that would not receive favourable consideration, or would be considered a low priority include:

• Research on fish species not targeted by Victorian recreational fishers
• Research on threatened fish species protected by legislation from recreational fishing
• Commonwealth-managed fisheries
• Aquatic habitat works that do not directly affect a recreational fishery, and/or
• Research programs that cannot define a benefit to recreational fishers.

Preference will be given to projects that leverage off other projects, and/or to which some financial co-funding or in-kind contribution can be made by the project proponent(s).

Preference will be given to projects where project management activities are undertaken as a financial or in-kind contribution by the project proponent(s).

Prior to final commitment of funds, the grant applicant will be required to:

• Obtain all the relevant planning and development approvals which must have regard to strategies and environmental acceptability
• Provide suitable information as requested to allow the proposed project to be assessed and establish a priority, based on local, regional and state-wide needs and benefits
• Demonstrate the technical adequacy of the project in terms of design, safety standards and cost
• Demonstrate an ability to be able to operate and maintain the facility and to make a commitment to a future high standard of operation and maintenance
• Be prepared to participate in on-site inspections of the project before, during and after the construction of a facility, as necessary, and
• Enter into a formal funding agreement with the Victorian Fisheries Authority.

Successful grant applicants will be required to:

• enter into a Project Funding Agreement
• submit regular Progress Reports as specified in the Project Funding Agreement
• submit an Acquittal/Final Report within 60 days of completing the project
• provide notification of any proposed variations or extensions to the project objectives, timetable, work plan or budget, by submitting a Project Variation application form, which will need to be assessed and approved by the Working Group
• Operate public liability insurance as required, covering the project's activities and outcomes, and
• Keep records of all expenditure associated with the grant for a minimum of five years.

Note: The Victorian Fisheries Authority reserves the right to inspect any project and/or request a financial/project implementation audit at any given time.

• Address: The Secretariat, Recreational Fishing Grants Program PO Box 4509 Melbourne 3001 VIC
• Phone: 0417 038 775
• Email: rec.fishinggrants@vfa.vic.gov.au