Blue Rock boating upgrade announcement

Yesterday, the Minister for Fishing and Boating, the Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, announced funding to upgrade two boat ramps at popular Southern Rural Water recreational areas.

Our Blue Rock Lake and Lake Glenmaggie boating facilities will be upgraded to improve access – for people of all abilities who love the water – as part of the Victorian Recreational Boating Action Plan 2022-23.

The action plan was developed in consultation with boating, fishing and community groups to identify boating facility upgrades that can be funded from the Better Boating Fund.

At Blue Rock Lake in central Gippsland an all-abilities pontoon will be installed, and the boat ramp will be resurfaced at the Old Tanjil Road facility, near Willow Grove. This will provide access for boaters with diverse mobility levels, including allowing for a davit hoist to lift people in and out of boats easily.

Blue Rock Lake is regularly stocked with trout and native Australian bass by the Victorian Fisheries Authority. The all-abilities pontoon will complement the all-abilities playground we recently built and provide a safe and fun destination for families wanting to enjoy the great outdoors.

Lake Glenmaggie is further east near Heyfield. Here, Better Boating Victoria will work with Southern Rural Water to extend one of the boat ramps to improve access at times when water levels are low.

Southern Rural Water is working with Better Boating Victoria to start planning these upgrades, with construction to begin at both sites in the next financial year.

“We are proud to partner with Better Boating Victoria to deliver upgrades at our storage facilities that will provide great recreational and community benefits,” said Southern Rural Water Managing Director, Cameron FitzGerald.

To learn more about how the 2022-23 Recreational Boating Action Plan will improve boating across the state, head to www.betterboating.vic.gov.au.