Public Notices

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

Declaration of Boating Activity Exemption

Event name:

2025 Dragon Boat Regatta

Date/time of event:

9:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday 15 November 2025

Location:

Maribyrnong River, adjacent to the Footscray Rowing Club

Details:

PUBLIC NOTICE

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for the Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepard Bridge on Footscray Road, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Dragon Boat Victoria, persons and vessels involved in the 2025 Dragon Boat Regatta 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 3(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge

4. Clause 3(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure

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

5. Clause 4.1 of Schedule 4 – 5 knot speed restriction on waters of the Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepherd Bridge

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

· Masters of rescue vessels are exempt from items 1 to 5 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, and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times.

· Competitors are only exempt from items 2 to 5 when competing in the events.

· Occupants of all vessels, including dragon boats, involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and mechanically powered vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment, including rescue vessels.

· All participants 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 9:00am – 5:00pm on Saturday 15 November 2025 within the competition area, adjacent to the Footscray Rowing Club and extending approximately 300 metres downstream of Fisher Parade Road Bridge.

· 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: 06/11/25