Public Notices

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

PUBLIC NOTICE DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION - Paddle Across the Bay 2026

Event name:

Paddle Across the Bay 2026

Date/time of event:

7.00am - 12.00pm Saturday 21 March 2026

Location:

From Green Point to Elwood Beach (contingency event waters – between Green Point and Half Moon Bay) - North East Port Phillip

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 Lifeline Australia, persons and vessels involved in the Paddle Across the Bay 2026 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

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

5. Clause 1.1.7 (d) to (h) of Schedule 1 – 5 knot speed restriction area within 200 metres of the water’s edge - North East Port Phillip

6. Clause 1.1.9 (e) to (i) of Schedule 1 – areas prohibited to vessels within North East Port Phillip between Elwood and Half Moon Bay

7. Clause 1.1.12(a) of Schedule 1 – the master of a personal watercraft must not operate the personal watercraft for any purpose other than transiting in the safest most direct course to, or from the shore and/or boat ramp or berthing facility (including a jetty, pier or mooring), whilst operating within designated 5 knot speed restriction zone

Marine Safety Regulations 2023

8. Regulation 61(4) – requirement to carry a lifejacket on vessel on enclosed waters for each person onboard (i.e. stand-up paddleboard (SUP) - 1 lifejacket for each person on board if more than 400 metres from the shore)

9. Regulation 66(2) – person must wear a compulsory lifejacket (of type specified) at all times when vessel is underway on enclosed waters (i.e., SUP - Lifejacket Level 100 plus, level 50 or level 50S or Type 1, 2 or 3 if more than 400 metres from the shore)

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

· Masters of rescue and support vessels (including personal watercraft (PWC)) are only 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 at that location, and must adhere to speed and distance rules at all other times and items 6 & 7 for the duration of the event at that location

· Occupants of all powered rescue and support vessels (including PWC) involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event and vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment

· All SUP participants and SUP marshals are only exempt from items 8 & 9 when participating in the event, provided they wear a leg leash at all times during the event

· The exemptions apply from 7:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday 21 March 2026 within the event waters - from Green Point to Elwood Beach (contingency event waters – between Green Point and Half Moon Bay)

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

By order of Parks Victoria

Dated: 13 FEB 2026

By order of Parks Victoria
Dated: 06/03/26