After a successful summer trial, new rules proposed by Parks Victoria to improve safety in waterways around the St Kilda and Altona piers have been adopted by Safe Transport Victoria.  

The new rules focus on the use of boats and personal watercraft, such as jet skis, with expanded no-boating zones to reduce the risk of collisions with people:

• St Kilda Pier: The no-boating zone has been realigned with the new pier structure, prohibiting vessels in front of the terraced seating area and beneath the pier
• Altona Pier: The western boundary of the no-boating zone has been extended to align with the new pier footprint. 
  
  

Why have these changes been introduced?

The new rules were informed by community and stakeholder consultation. Participants in the consultation expressed strong support for safety-focused measures, clearer boating exclusion zones, improved signage, and proactive management during peak summer periods.  

Both sites have undergone significant upgrades in recent years. These changes reflect new pier alignments, increased visitation, and evolving use patterns.  

Next steps

Parks Victoria is working in partnership with on-water enforcement agencies to implement the rule changes. This includes:

• Installing new signage to clearly mark updated zones at each site
• Updating boating zone maps on the Safe Transport Victoria (STV) website
• Updating the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules
• Monitoring of the new zones and undertaking compliance measures as necessary