Public Notices

Parks Victoria publishes public notices where relevant, including information regarding leases and boating and waterway activity exemptions.

Declaration of Boating Activity Exemptions

Event name:

2025 Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles

Date/time of event:

8:30am – 12:00pm on Saturday 25 October 2025

Location:

Western Port Bay: Direct line between Cowes Beach and Coronet Bay (back-up course is between Cat Bay and Cowes Beach)

Details:

PUBLIC NOTICE

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for Western Port Bay, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Surfing Victoria, persons and vessels involved in the 2025 Australian Stand Up Paddleboard Titles are exempt from the following requirements:

State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988

1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water

2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel

3. Clause 4(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of the water’s edge

4. Clause 4(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a wharf, jetty, slipway, diving platform or boat ramp

5. Clause 19(a) – an observer must be used when towing a person.

Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988

1. Clause 5.3(a)(iii) & (iv) of Schedule 5 - 5 knot speed restriction – Coronet Bay & Ventnor Beach to Silverleaf beach.

Marine Safety Regulations 2023

1. Regulation 60(a) – Master must not engage in towing unless an observer is on board.

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

· Masters of rescue vessels (including rescue PWCs) are only exempt from items 1 to 4 & 6 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore.

· Masters of PWC rescue vessels are only exempt from items 5 & 7 when retrieving or rescuing a person during the event.

· All SUP participants involved with the event must wear a min L50 lifejacket and leg rope at all times during the event.

· All occupants of mechanically powered vessels (including PWCs) involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and all rescue vessels must carry prescribed safety equipment.

· The exemptions apply from 8:30am – 12:00pm on Saturday 25 October 2025 within the within the waters of Western Port Bay: Direct line between Cowes Beach and Coronet Bay, between approximate locations 38°26'48.0"S 145°14'39.0"E and 38°26'16.0"S 145°25'59.0"E (back-up course is between Cat Bay and Cowes Beach).

· The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

By order of Parks Victoria
Dated: 24/10/25