St Kilda Boat Sales -

11 November 2008

Recreational Boating Zones - Review & Proposal  

Parks Victoria Community Update:

Why do Recreational Boating Zones need to be reviewed?

The existing Boating Zones in Port Phillip and Western Port were created in an ad hoc way and do not reflect changing trends in boating activity.

Parks Victoria (PV) as the Local Port Manager of Port Phillip and Western Port, jointly with Marine Safety Victoria (MSV) who oversee the management of recreational boating across Victoria, have reviewed the existing Boating Zones. This was to determine what zone types are required in each local area around Port Phillip and Western Port to allow safe access and use of the coast and waterways.

Following community consultation a standard set of zones and criteria for applying them was devised. Parks Victoria has worked in partnership with MSV and in consultation with the local community to apply these zones across Port Phillip and Western Port.

What are Boating Zones?

Boating Zones are prepared under the Marine Act 1988 with the primary aim of providing a safe environment for water users. They apply conditions of operation and prohibit incompatible uses for safety reasons.
The principles that have been applied during review of the recommendations are that the Boating Zones should be:

  • Safe
  • Practical
  • Easy to identify
  • Easy to comply with and regulate
  • Responding to current and anticipated future water uses

What are the recommendations?

Some of the general and more significant recommendations that are made as a result of reviewing each local area include:

  • The realignment and simplification of zones to provide a more user-friendly arrangement;
  • Consistently applying a No Boating Zone in front of Life Saving Clubs to provide increased swimmer safety;
  • The introduction of Kiteboard Operating Areas to allow for the safe operation of the increasingly popular sport;
  • The removal of 'No Sailboard, 'Sailboards Only', 'No PWC or Sailboards' and 'PWC Only'; zones to reflect changing water uses and duplication with other zones; and
  • The adjustment of the 5 knot zone between Safety Beach and Blairgowrie from 760m from shore to 500m from shore.

     

    How will the new zones be implemented?

    Recommendations will be finalised following the consideration of community feedback.
    Works to update buoys, piles and signage will then commence beginning where the current zones are particularly problematic. Implementation will continue over the next couple of years as weather conditions, materials and contractor availability allows.

    As works progress Notices to Mariners will be issued to advise of new zone arrangements.

    Proposed Zones - Location Maps

    Click here to view all of the proposed Safety Zones for Port Phillip Bay (Low Res 3.5mb Acrobat .pdf)

    Stakeholder Consulation Process (Yes, we were invited....)

    St Kilda Boat Sales and Service Centre was invited some months ago, by Parks Victoria and the Boating Industry Association of Victoria (BIA Vic) to be an industry representative in the stakeholder consulation process. The processs to better understand the zoning proposal and to look into location issues and specifics with those that know....

    We gave opinion and shared local understanding of the areas surrounding the St Kilda Marina and power boating destinations in general, along the bay.

    We were delighted to be invited to attend this process and feel comfortable that what is being proposed is a workable solution for all parties that share Port Phillip Bay. In addition, the proposed zone at St Kilda, provides a much safe enterance and exit to the Marina ensuring within this boating zone, that  boat speed does not exceed 5 knots.  This now makes it illegal for some irresponsible, PWC drivers to jump the boat wash and fly in and out of the marina enterance and accross to the beach area up to Brooks Jetty causing concerns for all mariners.

    A great and workable solution for all concerned, without safety, common sense nor practicality, being compromised.

    Have Your Say

    To comment on a particular map please complete the and email to: boatingzones@parks.vic.gov.au

    Alternatively you can download and print a copy of the survey and send to:

    Boating Zone Review
    Parks Victoria
    P.O. Box 400
    Rosebud 3939

    Parks Victoria is inviting comments on the draft boating zone recommendations until 5 December 2008.

    Any questions, must be directed to Parks Victoria.

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