There are exciting times ahead for the fishing and hunting community with the formation of Outdoor Recreation Victoria. At the end of last year, the Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Steve Dimopoulos, announced that the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) and the Game Management Authority (GMA) would come together to form Outdoor Recreation Victoria (ORV).
The Allan Labor Government announced that the formation of ORV will secure jobs and deliver a one-stop shop for outdoor recreation Activities across the state, and will strengthen support to get more Victorians and visitors enjoying our state’s great outdoors.
Every staff member from the VFA and GMA will join ORV when it is established, ensuring all jobs are retained. 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.
The ORV 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 both stakeholders and the government. The Labor Government will consult with stakeholders and introduce legislation into Parliament to officially establish ORV from 1 July 2026.
More than one million Victorians take part in fishing, hunting and boating. ORV will take outdoor recreation much further, getting more Victorians to take up four-wheel driving and camping, which together support tens of thousands of jobs and generate hundreds of millions in economic spending across the state.