The Australian Government’s $20 million Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program will fund four new projects across the Australian Capital Territory to improve fishing and camping facilities.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Program would deliver $20 million nationally over three years.
a“This program will deliver new and renewed infrastructure for our recreational fishing, camping and boating community,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This program delivers on our 2019 election commitment for more fishing opportunities for all Australians.”
Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Jonno Duniam said recreational fishing, boating and camping contributes to the health and well-being of many Australians and provides significant benefits to regional areas.
“Recreational fishing is an important leisure activity that contributes economic and social benefits to the Australian community, and is a part of the Australian way of life for all ages and for all socio-economic backgrounds,” Assistant Minister Duniam said.
“Improving facilities and access to recreational fishing, boating and camping areas will provide locals and visitors alike with better opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors by camping and fishing in our rivers and at the coast.”
ACT Minister for Land Management Mick Gentleman said the $141,000 of grants for the ACT would improve facilities including toilet blocks, traffic overflow areas and showers.
“We know how much Canberrans value our parks and reserves. This renewed infrastructure will help Canberrans and visitors enjoy some of the best camping and fishing spots around the Territory,” Minister Gentleman said.
“New funding will help us deliver upgrades at Blue Range Campground, Cotter Campground and Pine Island. These parks are more popular than ever with people holidaying at home and improved facilities will help make them even better.”
For more information on recreational fishing, see https://www.agriculture.gov.au/fisheries/recreational
The grants for other states and territories will be announced within the coming weeks.
| Project no. | Title | Category | Project Description | Funding |
| 1 | Blue Range Campground Masterplan |
Camping | The development of a Blue Range Masterplan to rationalise camping area, improve amenity and increase capacity. |
$30,000 |
| 2 | Additional toilet block | Toilet blocks | Build a new toilet block, as per the Masterplan draft, at Blue Range campground to facilitate increased campground capacity |
$76,000 |
| 3 | Cotter Campground entrance | Camping | Remodel and formalise Cotter Campground entrance and ‘overflow’ area to improve vehicle flow, camper spacing and aesthetics |
$25,000 |
| 4 | Washdown stations | Fishing | Install outdoor washdown stations/ showers for fishers and watercraft at Cotter Campground and Pine Island | $10,000 |