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

Event name:

2026 Dragon Boat Regatta

Date/time of event:

17 May 2026 9.00am - 5.00pm

Location:

Maribyrnong River - upstream of Shepard Bridge on Footscray Road

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 2026 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

· Masters of competing vessels 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 must carry all prescribed safety equipment, including rescue vessels

· The exemptions apply from 9:00am – 5:00pm on Sunday 17 May 2026 within the competition area, adjacent to the Footscray Rowing Club between Lynch's Bridge to Fisher Parade Rd 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: 22/04/2026

By order of Parks Victoria
Dated: 30/04/26