The Victorian Government has committed $96 million as part of its ‘More piers, jetties and opportunities for little anglers’ election policy which includes $15 million towards the expansion of the Arcadia and Snobs Creek fish hatcheries.

The fish hatchery expansions are required to meet the growing demand for recreational fish stocking with particular emphasis on Murray cod, golden perch, trout cod and Macquarie perch production.

The Snobs Creek fish hatchery expansion will increase the capacity and capability of the existing facility through the construction of a dedicated Macquarie Perch Captive Breeding Centre along with additional ponds, tanks, and supporting infrastructure to complement the breeding centre. Once completed the breeding centre will be capable of annually producing up to 500,000 Macquarie perch and 500,000 trout cod for stocking into Victoria waterways.

The tender for the construction of the breeding centre building is nearing completion and expected to be awarded by the end of 2024. Preliminary plans and specifications have been developed for the breeding centre aquaculture system which will sit inside the building.

Now, following the completion of tender ready plans and specifications the Victorian Fisheries Authority intend to approach the market through an open public tender and engage a principal contractor for the final design and construction of the Macquarie Perch Captive Breeding Centre Aquaculture System.

A maximum construction budget of up to $1.1 million (GST inc.) has been allocated to final design and construction of the new Macquarie Perch Captive Breeding Centre Aquaculture System to be located at the VFA Snobs Creek site at 455 Goulburn Valley Hwy EILDON.

The tender is expected to be awarded in Feb/Mar of 2025 with the final commissioning of the system expected by Spring 2025 in time for the 2025/26 native fish breeding season.

A link to the 3D model of the aquaculture system can be found below, the specification, PIDs and other relevant plans and drawings will be made available when the tender opens in January 2025.

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