Victorian Farmers Reject "Roads to Rivers" Proposal

The Victorian Farmers Federation has rejected a proposal to open unused road reserves to improve public access to waterways, warning it would direct recreational traffic through working farms.

The proposal, released by recreational fishing peak body VRFish as part of its state election platform, calls for government funding to activate road reserves leading to rivers.

VFF President Ryan Milgate says many of the reserves are already used under long-term farming arrangements and opening them to the public would create significant biosecurity, safety and farm management risks.

He says increased public access could spread weeds and disease, create fire hazards, leave gates open and place added pressure on farming families.

The federation is urging all political parties to rule out the proposal and instead improve river access through existing public entry points, while consulting directly with affected landholders before any changes are considered.