Federal Budget tops up boating infrastructure program

The $10 million allocated in the Budget, handed down last night, is the same level of funding that was provided to the Fishing and Camping Facilities Program last year, with NSW attracting the lion’s share – $2.1 million – in support. 

Meanwhile, Queensland retains its $1.9 million share of the pool, while Victoria keeps its $1.7 million allocation, and Western Australia $1.6 million.

Tasmania and South Australia will each receive $900,000, the Northern Territory $700,000, and the ACT will receive $100,000.

The federal program has run since 2019 after the Morrison Government pledged $29 million to improve recreational fishing if it was re-elected.

Of that, $20 million was allocated for recreational fishing and camping facilities. Under the program, local governments could apply for funds to help them improve, maintain or build new boating, marine rescue, fishing and camping facilities, including boat ramps.

The aim of the program was to provide ”more opportunities to go fishing in our rivers and around our vast coastline”, the government said at the time of the program's launch.

The surprise win for recreational fishers came in the wake of the Labor and the Greens showing strong support for a longstanding strategy to create more national marine parks, which would have effectively locked anglers out of prime fishing areas. 

The budget papers show the program’s funding tap will be turned off in the 2022-23 financial year.