Two weeks left to have your say on a proposed change to boating rules
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Williamstown local port area Boating rules
Community Update
September 2023 - Issue 3
We want to hear from you!
Have your say on a proposed waterway rule change within the Williamstown local port waters.
A change to the extent of the current 5-knot zone is being considered by Parks Victoria to progress a recommendation in the Williamstown Wave Wash and Surge Study (2022).
The aim is to reduce the wash created by vessels exceeding 5-knots in the local port waters of Port Phillip managed by Parks Victoria in the Williamstown area by making it easier for boaters to understand where the rule applies, reducing vessel speed and therefore wash, as well as improving safety for waterway users.
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Have your say Learn more at Engage Victoria and submit feedback by completing our online survey. This survey is open until 30 September 2023. |
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Talk to us You can find us at this Sunday's Williamstown Craft Market. Drop by our stall where you can talk with the project team, view the map, and ask questions. Date: Sunday 17 September 2023 Time: 10am – 4pm Location: Commonwealth Reserve, Nelson Place, Williamstown. |
Background to the rule change
In late 2022, Parks Victoria completed the Williamstown Wave Wash and Surge Study (Study) to identify the cause of the ‘wave, wash and surge’ issues that have been anecdotally reported and recorded in the Williamstown maritime area by the local boating community and to prepare potential options for future mitigation.
The Study identified and confirmed the occurrence of wave and surge events in Williamstown’s maritime precinct and has proposed several possible mitigation measures for future consideration.
A recommendation from the Study is the proposed modification of the 5-knot zone in the Williamstown local port area.
Parks Victoria, as the waterway manager for the local port of Port Phillip, is progressing this recommendation by proposing to make amendments to the boating rules that apply to the waters it manages south of the Williamstown Channel, extending to Gellibrand Pier.
The aim being to:-
- Reduce the wash created by vessels exceeding 5-knots,
- Make it easier for boaters to understand where the rule applies,
- Improve safety for waterway users.
A survey on Engage Victoria seeks to understand any safety or other concerns users may have and their level of support with the rule change. Seeking comment is an essential part of the process defined in the Marine Safety Act 2010.
Next steps
Your feedback will be considered when preparing a recommendation to the Safety Director, Safe Transport Victoria.
The Safety Director will consider the application and make a determination regarding if the rule change will be made or not. There is no confirmed timing for this process.
Have your say - Williamstown local port area draft plan
Parks Victoria has also commenced community consultation on the draft Williamstown Local Port Area Plan.
The plan sets out the priorities that will guide future investment ensuring the local port continues to be a jewel in the crown of its community and thriving regional maritime and boating destination for Melbourne’s west.
You can view the plan and submit feedback via the Engage Victoria survey – open until 30 September 2023.
Parks Victoria, Level 10, 535 Bourke St,
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia,
Phone 13 1963
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