Tuesday, 31^st July 2018

The Victorian Government has awarded a $35,000 Stronger Regional Communities Plan grant to the East Gippsland Shire Council to help attract more recreational fishers to the region.

Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing, today announced the funding from the Stronger Regional Communities Plan, which supports community-led initiatives that build community capabilities or improve the liveability of regional and rural towns.

The Lakes Entrance economy is strongly reliant on tourism and the fishing industry, and like many coastal communities, the town traditionally relies on seasonal visitation to support its economy.

Two emerging recreational fishing tourism markets that could significantly increase economic output year-round are offshore recreational sport game fishing, and crabbing within the Gippsland Lakes area.

The project has identified the potential of these two markets to provide significant economic opportunity for Lakes Entrance but recognises the need to build an understanding of the markets for sustained growth.

The project is supported by East Gippsland Marketing Inc and Destination Gippsland and builds on the Victorian Government’s Target One Million campaign to grow recreational fishing and the Victorian visitor economy.

The Stronger Regional Communities Plan aims to support rural and regional towns to attract families and young people to live and work by investing in community-led projects that enhance conditions for economic growth and make regional Victoria a better place to live and work.

Community groups, not-for-profit organisations, individual businesses, and industry alliances are all eligible to apply for funding for projects that will create stronger communities.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford

“The $35,000 grant from the Victorian Government will help fund a strategy to attract new market opportunities in recreational fishing to help grow the East Gippsland visitor economy”

“Lakes Entrance and the Gippsland Lakes is Victoria’s second largest recreational fishing destination in terms of participation and economic value, after Port Phillip Bay”

“With recreational fishing tourism being a year-round activity, the growth of this market provides a unique opportunity to increase the resilience of the region”

“The Victorian Government is building stronger regional communities and we are doing it hand in hand with locals.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing

“Some of the most spectacular fishing In Victoria is found in East Gippsland and every year we see more visitors come to this part of the world to enjoy a variety of fishing challenges and experiences. 

“This grant will enable us to attract new market opportunities for recreational fishing in Lakes Entrance and offshore angling, and to further grow the local visitor economy now and into the future”