The Recreational Values Program delivers on the Government’s commitment to enhance the recreational values of the State’s water resources.
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Enhancing the recreational values of the state’s water resources
Victoria's waterways – including rivers, wetlands, lakes and water storages – provide the community with many recreational opportunities and benefits.
Water-based recreational activities include fishing, water skiing, rowing, camping, walking, bird watching, outdoor sporting events and social gatherings. Waterways' social and recreational uses and values provide many benefits, such as improved health and wellbeing, increased social cohesion, and boosting tourism across regional Victoria.
The Recreational Values Program was created to implement the Victorian Government's commitment to enhance the recreational values of water. This commitment is articulated in the government's long-term plan for managing Victoria's water resources, Water for Victoria (2016). Specifically 3 actions to help the Victorian community achieve tangible recreational benefits:
Include recreational values in water and waterway planning
Help communities understand how to achieve their recreational objectives
Support recreation at water storages through infrastructure and better information.
Highlights Report 2020–2024
The Recognising Recreational Values Highlights Report 2020–2024 showcases the achievements and progress of the Recreational Values Program over the last four years.
This progress includes a range of projects to improve and increase recreational access to waterways across the State, including:
new walking track and fishing platforms at Trawool Reservoir
new all-abilities kayak pontoon and adjoining footpaths at Merri River
new toilets, upgraded road access and cultural heritage signage at Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water storages in Horsham, Stawell and Balmoral
new walking track and enhanced fishing, boating and rowing access at the Lower Thomson River and Latrobe Wetlands
planting native trees and grasses and installing stone steps to protect the bank of the Jamieson River from erosion and maintain recreational access.
Water for Victoria - Recognising recreational values progress report
This project has delivered a new walking track and two fishing platforms at Trawool Reservoir, enhancing recreational opportunities at the reservoir, as well improving cultural heritage and preserving environmental values.
The 5-kilometre walking track links the Great Victorian Rail Trail and the reservoir, winding through sections of Falls Creek, and features directional signage to help improve access and walkability of the track.
The two new fishing platforms enable easier launching of kayaks, as well as all-abilities fishing access above the water’s edge. The platforms were built using converted barges from the Shepparton Wastewater Management Facility.
Victorian Fisheries Authority annually stocks the reservoir with native fish to the area, ensuring that recreational anglers can take advantage of the improved access.
Newly installed signs are fitted with QR codes enabling visitors to learn more about local and reservoir history, as well as track details including distance, options, grade of difficulty and directions.
The project was delivered in partnership with Goulburn Valley Water and Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
This project enhances community access to the Merri River and surrounding areas through the construction of a new all-abilities kayak pontoon and adjoining footpaths at Platypus Park in West Warrnambool.
The all-abilities kayak launch provides a safe and accessible entry point to the Merri River, encouraging water-based recreational activities, such as kayaking and canoeing, for both seasoned paddlers and beginners to explore the waterway. Increased access facilitates greater water-based sports and activities, fostering a more active and engaging outdoor lifestyle for residents and visitors.
The adjoining footpaths, designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, now offer a scenic and convenient route through the Woodend Road precinct, boosting connectivity within the community.
The project was a collaborative effort between Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and Warrnambool City Council.
This project enabled Goulburn-Murray Water to install 46 car counters and three pedestrian counters to accurately monitor the number of visitors to key recreational sites across 17 water storages.
The counters provide data for Goulburn-Murray Water to gain a deeper understanding of the numbers and timing of visitation at these key sites, where to focus works and prioritisation of future investment and capital improvements.
This will enable appropriate timing of service and works with minimal disruption at peak times and ensure those visiting Goulburn-Murray Water’s many recreation sites can continue to enjoy the facilities for boating, camping and fishing for years to come.
Lake Eildon Aerial View
Find out more about recreational access to water
Who do you contact about recreation at a waterway or water storage?
If you want to know who to contact about recreation at a Water Storage in regional or rural Victoria, the relevant rural water corporation can help.
The following agencies and government departments all play a role in supporting and promoting the recreational values of Victoria’s waterways and water reservoirs and may be able to assist.
If you want to discover the current water level at a particular water storage on your mobile device, download the Bureau of Meteorology’s iPhone app, which reports water information for more than 250 water reservoirs across Australia.
