Work has begun to triple the size of the Arcadia Native Fish Hatchery near Shepparton, backed by a $15 million investment from the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said work is underway to increase the number of production ponds from 33 to more than 100 - so the hatchery can produce up to 6 million Murray cod and golden perch each year for stocking into Victorian waters.
The facility will play a key role in Victoria stocking 10 million fish annually - more than every other Australian state and territory combined.
Crews have started digging new dams and ponds to hold the fish and once those are complete harvest stations and plankton ponds will be built to grow fingerlings.
The new ponds will hold a massive 141 megalitres of water - the equivalent of 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Also 220 valves will be installed to change the water in the ponds as required.
Following a competitive tender process, construction will be undertaken by BMD Urban using mainly local contractors. In addition to the new fish processing facilities, an expanded hatchery building and a new administration complex will also be built.
The project will be completed in 2025, providing enough time for the fish to get acclimatised to their new surroundings ahead of the following fishing season.
At the Victorian Fisheries Authority's other hatchery in Snobs Creek, a contractor is expected to be appointed in coming weeks to build a new Macquarie Perch Captive Breeding Centre to round out the $15m investment package.
Once complete, the Snobs Creek facility will have the capacity to produce 500,000 endangered Macquarie perch and threatened trout cod each year, helping to rebuild populations in Victorian waters.
As stated by Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
"Arcadia is going to be the home of Victoria's Murray cod and golden perch production for many years to come - and the construction is the first step to having our waterways stocked with these incredible fish for people to catch."
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
"The work happening at Arcadia is great for our region, supporting local jobs and keeping the Goulburn Valley and north-east Victoria at the heart of all things fishing."
