Public Notices
Parks Victoria publishes public notices where relevant, including information regarding leases and boating and waterway activity exemptions.
Declaration of Boating Activity Exemption and Set Aside
Event name:
Melbourne Open Water Swim Club Cup,
Date/time of event:
4th November 2025 8:30-am-10:30am. Back up date of 8th November 2025
Location:
Local Port of Port Phillip- Williamstown Beach
Details:
PUBLIC NOTICE
DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION
Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Local Port of Port Phillip, makes the
following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).
For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Melbourne Open Water Swim Club vessels involved
in the 2025 Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club Cup 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 4(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 200 metres of the water’s edge
3. Clause 4(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a wharf, jetty, slipway, diving
platform or boat ramp
Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988
4. Clause 1.5.7 of Schedule 1 – 5 knot speed restriction zone within 200 metres of the waters’
edge at Williamstown Beach
5. Clause 1.5.9(b) of Schedule 1 – areas prohibited to vessels off Williamstown Beach
Subject to the conditions detailed below:
• Master of rescue vessels are exempt from items 1 to 4 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 all vessels involved with the event are exempt from item 5 for the duration of the
event.
• All occupants of all vessels involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during
the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.
• The exemptions apply from 8:30am to 10:30am on Tuesday 4 November 2025 (back-up date Saturday 8
November 2025) to the persons and vessels participating in the Melbourne Open Water Swimming Club
Cup within the Set Aside waters off Williamstown 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: 13th October 2025
Port Management Act 1995 (Vic.)
Port Management (Local Ports) Regulations 2025
Set Aside Determination – Regulation 11(1)
Local Port of Port Phillip
As the Port Manager of the Local Port of Port Phillip, Parks Victoria has set aside an area of Port Phillip to facilitate the Melbourne Open Water Swim Club from 8:30am until 10:30am on Tuesday the 4th of November 2025, with the back up date of the 8th November 2025. in respect to the waters off Williamstown Beach. The set aside prohibits all persons, other than those persons participating in the Melbourne Open Water Swim Club Cup, from entering the area between times and dates as outlined. The full declaration including event information is available on Parks Victoria’s website.
By Order Parks Victoria.
Date: 24th September 2025
By order of Parks Victoria
Dated: 15/10/25