Plans for the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery include a new visitor centre surrounded by a wetland, a family-friendly fish-out pond, large Murray cod statue, fish themed playground, elevated view over the hatchery, seasonal outdoor cafe, public shelter and barbecue area.
The visitor centre will have strong indigenous links and historic, interpretative information on native fish.
The $3 million Victorian Government grant comes as part of the government’s $46 million Regional Tourism Investment Fund – Stimulus Round aimed at delivering a boost to the visitor economy while the state continues its steady recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed said the hatchery would play an important role in breeding native fish and welcomed the money.
“The additional funding that has just been announced by the Victorian State Government is great news for this project.
“It will see a visitor’s centre with wetlands and a family-friendly fish pond. It will become the gateway for tourism into Shepparton.
“This funding goes a long way, but there is still room for the Federal Government to invest further in the project and make the tourism facility truly spectacular.”
Located on a 170-hectare property on the Goulburn River near Arcadia, the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) has begun constructing the native fish hatchery following a major funding announcement in the 2019-20 budget, with $7 million to build a hatchery in the region.
Once complete, the hatchery will deliver a world class facility, using technology to breed critically endangered species, ensuring sustainable recreational fishing and maintaining the health of our river systems.
The fish hatchery is one of 30 projects to receive funding in the stimulus round, with the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre also receiving $600,000 in funding.
Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp said he was pleased with the grants.
“The government is well aware of the impacts of coronavirus on the tourism sector – that’s why we are investing to ensure it continues to rebound,” he said.
“These works will provide crucial jobs in construction while bolstering our region’s tourism appeal and bolstering jobs into the future.”
Victorian Fishing and Boating Minister Melissa Horne was pleased with the increased funding for the Arcadia project, saying the area would have “the biggest and best Murray cod tourism centre in Australia”, which would create more jobs for the region.
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