The Malinauskas Labor Government is investing $4.35 million to expand recreational access to two reservoir reserves, helping to support the state's recreational fishing sector and unlocking new opportunities for people to enjoy the great outdoors.
Up to $3.5 million will be spent to expand existing recreational fishing access at Myponga Reservoir Reserve on the Fleurieu Peninsula, a popular fishing location with more than 27,000 people visiting the site in 2025.
Around $850,000 will also be invested on key upgrades at the historic Tod Reservoir Reserve, which will enable recreational fishing access at this site for the first time.
Currently at Myponga, visitors can fish from the shore and on open water from canoes and kayaks in designated areas.
The investment into Myponga will build new infrastructure to provide visitors with easier fishing access to deeper water locations.
This new infrastructure will include access roads, carparking, a kayak launch area, fencing, stormwater management, signage, toilets and other amenities.
To make the expanded fishing access available to visitors this summer, existing access tracks will be upgraded and temporary fencing and amenities will be constructed in January, with permanent infrastructure to be complete by mid-2026.
Subject to standard approvals, the reservoir will also be stocked with 10-20,000 native freshwater fish this summer, boosting fish stocks and enhancing the fishery. This is in addition to 50,000 fish confirmed to be stocked at Myponga in summer 2026-27.
Existing amenities at the Tod Reservoir include barbeques, a tennis court and a water history museum.
The new upgrades at the reserve will include construction of a fishing hub, a 2-kilometere shoreline loop trail and improved visitor safety, which will also facilitate activities such as bushwalking, cycling, kayaking and bird watching.
A cross-government Reservoir and Fish Stocking Working Group is facilitating a fish stocking initiative at Tod.
The introduction of fish at Tod Reservoir Reserve will establish the reservoir as a prime destination for anglers, while strengthening community connection to the reservoir for more than 14,000 people across Port Lincoln and surrounding areas.
While the fish are expected to take approximately 2 years to reach a catchable size, SA Water and other government agencies will continue to work with RecFish SA to explore options to secure more fish for stocking.
The expansion of recreational access at Myponga and Tod reservoir reserves is part of the Malinauskas Government's plans to explore more opportunities to encourage more recreation within reservoirs, while maintaining water security as the primary purpose of these sites.
As put by Nick Champion
Reservoir reserves serve as both a key destination for outdoor recreation across South Australia and the backbone of our state's vital water supply.
This investment will make the Myponga and Tod Reservoirs easier and safer to access for people to enjoy all the benefits that come with being outdoors.
On top of this, it will make the Myponga and Tod Reservoirs destinations for fishers across South Australia
As put by Jenni Mitton, Labor Candidate for Mawson
South Australians love our reservoirs. They provide a great opportunity for families to get outdoors and be active.
The Myponga Reservoir Reserve is a stunning feature of our Southern community and it is brilliant to see the Government open even more of it up for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.
