By STEFAN BRADLEY
THE state government will merge its fisheries and game management authorities to create a single entity to oversee outdoor recreation in Victoria.
Outdoor Recreation Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the Victorian Fisheries Authority and Game Management Authority will come together to form Outdoor Recreation Victoria (ORV).
The government claims there will be no job losses and all staff members from the VFA and GMA will join ORV when it is established.
But the VFA earlier this year cut 35 jobs, reducing staff from 192 to 157, including 15 fisheries officer positions, and two stations closed in Melbourne.
ORV will initially focus on getting more Victorians out fishing, game hunting, boating, four-wheel driving and off grid camping, before expanding to support other activities. It will work across government to create a single point of information for bush users through a digital hub. Incorporating feedback from Victorians, ORV will also establish a Land Access Panel to help more people use public land and waterways, and enjoy Victoria’s incredible offerings. This panel will comprise of both stakeholders and government.
Sale Field and Game spokesman Gary Howard cautiously welcomed news of the merger.
“Hunting and fishing are one and the same. It’s common sense to amalgamate the two … under the same umbrella,” he said.
“Our concern is that we’ve not seen the detail. It’s very hard to make a comment about it without seeing what the structure will be.”
Mr Howard noted the reduction in the VFA’s frontline enforcement team, but said enforcement with both teams under the one roof would be good for both hunting and fishing.
“But the detail of how it would run remains to be seen,” he said.
“We gotta deal with regulations and changing rules. And as hunters we want to see how the land is managed.”
VRFish (Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body Ltd), a body that represents recreational fishing in the state, welcomed the formation of ORV.
VRFish chairman Rob Loats said the creation of ORV was set to provide greater support to Victorians who enjoyed getting outdoors.
“The establishment of Outdoor Recreation Victoria will make it easier for more Victorians to enjoy our great outdoors, provides a single point of information for bush users and demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting active outdoor recreation,” he said.
“We look forward to working with the expanded Outdoor Recreation Victoria to continue making fishing better for Victorians and achieve better access to public land for all outdoor enthusiasts.”
The Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA Victoria) welcomed the amalgamation.
“While the VFA has long enjoyed a clear, legislated mandate to promote recreational fishing, the GMA has been expressly prohibited from promoting hunting. This constraint has limited the state’s ability to unlock the full social and economic benefits of regulated, ethical game hunting,” SSAA Victoria said in a statement.
“If Outdoor Recreation Victoria is to genuinely advance the interests of outdoor recreation, then hunting promotion must form part of its functions. The potential benefits for regional Victoria, in particular, are extraordinary – but they can only be realised if the new authority is empowered to support growth, education and participation.”
The government said it will consult with stakeholders and introduce legislation into Parliament to establish ORV from July 1, 2026.
“The excellent work of the VFA and GMA will be expanded to support even more outdoor enthusiasts through Outdoor Recreation Victoria – creating better experiences for Victorians, visitors, and businesses,” Minister Dimopoulos said.
“We know how important outdoor recreation is to Victorians, that’s why we support you and will continue to support you.
“Outdoor Recreation Victoria will unlock opportunities for more Victorians to access the great outdoors – while ensuring all jobs are retained.” The creation of ORV was one of the recommendations of the review into the state’s public service.
Shadow Outdoor Recreation Minister and Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath said the merger may have merit on paper, but claimed the government’s track record gave little confidence that it would be properly supported.
“There must be a strong focus on training and education so compliance can be managed efficiently and effectively to protect the long-term sustainability of our fisheries and game resources,” she said.
“A single compliance authority has worked in other jurisdictions, including New Zealand, where fish and game operate together successfully. However, the key difference is that it has been properly supported and resourced by government.
“The proof is yet to be seen in Victoria. Only months ago, the Allan Labor government slashed the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s budget by 44 per cent. That decision gutted frontline fisheries officers and significantly weakened enforcement capability.
“It is exactly this kind of under-investment that now casts serious doubt over this merger.”
