Public Notices

Parks Victoria as the declared waterway manager for Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepherds 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 Paddle Victoria, persons and vessels involved in the 2026 Marathon City Singles Race are exempt from the following requirements:

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

5. Clause 4.1 of Schedule 4 – 5 knot speed restriction on the Maribyrnong River

6. Regulation 61(5) – requirement to carry listed safety equipment (a bailer) on human powered vessel on inland waters

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of rescue vessels are only exempt from item 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.

• Competitors are only exempt from items 2 to 5 when competing in the events, and item 2 applies only when within 50 metres of another competitor or competing vessel.

• All occupants of vessels (including course/rescue vessels) involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times and course/rescue vessels must have all prescribed safety equipment.

• The exemptions apply from 10:00am to 1:00pm on Sunday 14 June 2026 within the event waters of the Maribyrnong River between Raleigh Road Bridge and Lynch’s Bridge

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