A boat ramp is being built at Tarago Reservoir to enable on-water fishing. This will include parking, toilets, and increased security measures on the land, as well as on-water infrastructure to protect water quality infrastructure and operations.

As the authority responsible for managing Tarago Reservoir, Melbourne Water is working with Better Boating Victoria (BBV), the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Gippsland Water and other agencies to facilitate delivery of this government commitment.

Maintaining safe, clean and world-class drinking water supply from Tarago Reservoir remains Melbourne Water’s number one priority.

Tarago Reservoir is a drinking water storage on the Tarago River in West Gippsland. The reservoir is managed by Melbourne Water and Gippsland Water and supplies drinking water to customers in southeast Melbourne, Warragul, Drouin and Neerim South.

A Recreational Area Management Plan is a document that details how a recreational area will be managed, which includes detailing permitted and prohibited activities, and how restrictions will be enforced. The requirements for the Plan are established in the Water (Recreational Area) Regulations 2023 Act. Melbourne Water will be developing the Recreational Area Management Plan for the Tarago Reservoir boat ramp and recreational area. Melbourne Water will work with community to help inform the Plan as it's developed in 2025.

Tarago Reservoir was closed to fishing and boating in 1978 to protect drinking water quality. Since then, advancements have been made in water treatment that allow Melbourne Water’s high standards to be maintained whilst allowing for certain types of on-water recreation. Melbourne Water and Gippsland Water are installing new and additional ultraviolet (UV) upgrades to treatment plants associated to Tarago Reservoir, which will maintain water quality standards.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is coordinating engagement with Traditional Owners. Melbourne Water is supporting DEECA. There is currently no Registered Aboriginal Party in the area Tarago Reservoir is located, but Traditional Owner groups with an interest in the land and water around and including in Tarago are being consulted by DEECA.

Road upgrades are outside the scope of this project.

This initiative is part of a package of $73 million of investment from the Better Boating Fund that will deliver the Victorian Government’s commitments for ‘More piers, jetties and opportunities for little anglers’.

A Recreational Area Management Plan is being developed for the site that will outline operational and maintenance requirements and who will be responsible for these.

Tarago Reservoir was chosen as part of an election commitment by the Victorian Government to provide ‘More piers, jetties and opportunities for little anglers’. Part of the funding includes upgrading water treatment facilities connected to Tarago Reservoir to support this commitment.

Fishing from boats, and the use of electric boats will be allowed on Tarago Reservoir once it is opened for public recreational use. Swimming will not be allowed in the reservoir.

The Recreational Area Management Plan will establish the types of activities that are permitted and prohibited at the boat ramp.

The difference between these two activities is the amount of contact with the water - referred to as 'primary' and 'secondary' contact. Activities that involve immersion in the water are called 'primary' contact activities and pose a greater risk to water quality than activities where there is only occasional contact with the water, referred to as 'secondary' contact.

For example, swimming is a primary contact activity, while boating is a secondary contact activity. This is because a person is not generally in contact with the water while boating, but may have contact for a brief period.

In addition to the new boat ramp, designs are currently being developed by BBV to construct parking, toilets, signage, and general area improvements including security and landscaping.

Tarago Reservoir and the closed catchment area is managed by Melbourne Water.

Parks Victoria manages and maintains the Tarago Reservoir Park that is located at the southern end of the reservoir.

The Recreational Area Management Plan will provide further detail on management of the new infrastructure and recreational activity.