Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Outdoor recreation

Luba GRIGOROVITCH (Kororoit) (10:08): I rise to update the house on the remarkable work underway to strengthen outdoor recreation and protect Victoria’s natural environment. Since being appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Outdoor Recreation I have had the privilege to see firsthand the passion of our communities – from the volunteers at the native fish hatchery in Bundoora to the dedicated Parks Victoria team and long-time champions like Ken Harris at Morwell National Park.

Our government is investing in transforming the outdoors for all Victorians. We are building a new Macquarie perch recovery centre at Snobs Creek hatchery, which I had the great pleasure of visiting a few weeks ago. This will release 500,000 fingerlings a year alongside trout cod and Murray cod recovery efforts. We are also stocking 10 million fish at over 240 locations, upgrading piers and boat ramps and keeping boat ramp access free for all families. But it is not just about fishing. Across Victoria our parks and reserves – from the Dandenong Ranges to Lysterfield – are hubs for mountain biking, hiking, birdwatching and of course family picnics. Places like Lake Hyland in Churchill offer accessible fishing platforms, walking tracks and growing wildlife habitats, showing why continued investment matters. Outdoor recreation supports local jobs, strengthens regional tourism, improves public health and deepens our connection to nature, and above all it reminds us that when we invest in healthy rivers, lakes and landscapes we build healthier, more connected communities. I want to thank the Allan Labor government and the minister for their strong commitment, and I look forward to continuing this important work with our communities across Victoria.