As the summer weather approaches, many Victorians will be getting outdoors and enjoying waterways across the state.
Victoria’s water corporations and catchment management authorities (CMAs) manage hundreds local rivers, lakes and reservoirs, ensuring they are safe and accessible places to enjoy.
For many popular sites, water corporations and CMAs are currently developing recreational area management plans. These outline how recreational activities such as boating, fishing and water sports will be supported, as well as how the areas are managed to support their range of environmental and cultural values.
There are 12 plans that have already been developed with local communities, Traditional Owners and user groups. These cover 15 Coliban Water, Goulburn-Murray Water and Goulburn Valley Water sites such as Malmsbury Reservoir, Lake Dartmouth and Dunyak Moira.
Plans for other sites are expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months.
The plans highlight how the water corporation or CMA will manage the site to encourage recreation, what activities are permitted and what facilities are provided to ensure they can be enjoyed safely.
The plans have taken in the community’s vision for the waterways. Under Goulburn-Murray Water’s management plans, dogs are now allowed in the water at sites including Lake Eppalock, Lake Eildon, Waranga Basin and Laanecoorie Reservoir as long as they are leashed, in response to community feedback.
Fishing is allowed at all 15 sites, while swimming is allowed at all of the sites that aren’t drinking water storages, except Yarrawonga Weir. On water activities such as kayaking and canoeing are also allowed at all sites with a recreational area management plan.
If you do get out and enjoy Victoria’s lakes and rivers this summer, make sure you do it safely.
Never swim alone or after consuming alcohol, always keep children within arms’ reach around water and wear a life jacket if you’re boating, fishing or on unpredictable water.
The Recreational Values Program supports managing authorities to ensure our reservoirs are great place to get outdoors and enjoy nature by upgrading amenities, improving walking tracks, or installing interpretive signage.
Recreational area management plans are available on the relevant water corporation or CMA’s website.
Page last updated: 11/12/25