State government fisheries plan to hit Queenscliff authority, jobs to go

The state government’s plan to dramatically shake up its fisheries offices, including on the Bellarine Peninsula, seems to be as popular as an off prawn.

Former supervising fisheries officers David Burgess on patrol in 2019. Picture: Mike Dugdale

A proposed closure of the Victorian Fisheries Authority station in Queenscliff that would see jobs lost has raised the ire of the state opposition and been labelled an “absolute disgrace” by a former employee.

Changes proposed by the state government include replacing fisheries officers with engagement officers, whose focus would be education, rather than enforcement.

The Queenscliff station would be replaced by a “community hub” and result in the loss of up to seven fisheries officers.

Former Queenscliff VFA supervising officer David Burgess, who left the role in 2023, said the creation of the new positions was nonsensical.

“They (engagement officers) … will basically hand out flyers and say do the right thing,” he said.

“We had a lot of organised crime before … which is why you need officers patrolling all the time and people who pay their fishing licence want to see that.

“This could cause a massive collapse … it’ll be the end of a lot of our fisheries in a very quick fashion.”

David Burgess checks a boat and fishing licenses of jetski riders during a 2019 patrol. Picture: Mike Dugdale

In a statement, Victoria’s Community and Public Sector Union’s acting branch secretary Wayne Townsend called on the government to reconsider its position.

“This proposal raises huge safety concerns for our members … we believe that it will have a significant impact on the sustainability of the fisheries environment,,” he said.

“Put a stop to this restructure in light of impacts on Victoria, the VFA workforce and the inducement it will offer to organised crime in our waterways.”

A five-week consultation phase between the union and government is underway.

Mr Townsend said that without fisheries officers, aquatic environments would be destroyed as a consequence of increased non-compliance.

According to the union, there is a 56 per cent offending rate in marine national parks, like the one in Point Lonsdale.

State deputy opposition leader Sam Groth said the proposed changes were nothing more than a “cost-cutting measure” that would fail on all fronts.

“These cuts mean fewer inspections, less oversight, and a greater chance of illegal fishing and environmental damage,” he said.

“It’s a slap in the face to the responsible fishers who do the right thing and expect the rules to be enforced fairly.”

Sam Groth has given the state government a serve over their proposed changes to the VFA. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

A VFA spokesman said the organisation was confident the new model would maintain efficiency.

“Our workforce will focus on keeping compliance levels high, and on major fishing crime, while working closely with the community to provide them the education and resources they need to fish responsibly,” he said.

“We are consulting with employees and the union on workforce changes, and will provide all staff with the support they need through this period.”

Originally published as State government fisheries plan to hit Queenscliff authority, jobs to go