Victorian boating zones in the spotlight

Parks Victoria is inviting boaters, paddlers, fishers, waterways users and the broader community to provide feedback on what it says are proposed improvements to existing boating and swimming zones in Port Phillip and Western Port.

The Boating Zone Review stems from the responsibility of the Department to periodically assess boating use along the beaches of Port Phillip and Western Port.

The review endeavours to create a community-based outcome that best reflects a wide variety of recreational pursuits that the many visitors enjoy on these popular beaches.

The popularity of different beach activities is influenced by many factors and change can be driven by shifts in:
>> The number of local residents and visitors using an area, for example, higher density housing.
>> Better access and transport such as the East Link and Peninsula Link.
>> New recreation opportunities and associated technologies as with the popularity of stand up paddleboards.
>> Beach and shore profile changes due to extreme weather like that in winter 2016.
>> Shoreline facilities improvements such as those to Patterson River boat ramps.

CONSULATION PROCESS OPEN
Boating zone users, informal user groups, foreshore land managers and Victorian recreation peak bodies have suggested improvements to existing boating zones.

To propose or amend boating zone rules, Parks Victoria works with Maritime Safety Victoria (MSV), the state-wide regulator, and established a four-week period of public consultation.

The public consultation period is opened on Wednesday November 16 and runs to Friday December 16, 2016.

WHAT IS PROPOSED
Parks Victoria is seeking feedback on the following proposed changes.
>>  Allow human-powered paddle craft to use Vessels Prohibited (Swimming Only) zones. Human-powered paddle craft, including stand up paddleboards (SUPs), sit on kayaks, canoes, small dinghies, and surf skis are currently prohibited in Vessels Prohibited (Swimming Only) zones.

>> Rename existing Kiteboarding zones to Shared Windsports zones inclusive of kiteboarding and windsurfing to better inform other beach uses that both activities are permitted in the zone.

>> Changes to Vessels Prohibited (Swimming Only) zones, Kiteboarding (Shared Windsports) zones and 5 Knot Within 200m of the Shore zones at Elwood, Brighton and Hampton. This is expected to improve safety for shared windsports enthusiasts and better enable them to stay clear of Vessels Prohibited (Swimming Only) Zones.

>> Additions to the Vessels Prohibited (Swimming Only) Zones are suggested to better align with beach access, local parking and nearby parks.

>> Retain existing Personal Water Craft Prohibited zones in place to the north and south of Patterson River at Carrum in Port Phillip and at Shoreham in Western Port.

In 2009, eight years ago, Parks Victoria completed a comprehensive two-year review of all boating and swimming zones across Port Phillip and Western Port to determine what zone types were required in each waterway to allow safe access and use of the coast and waterways.

Parks Victoria encourages feedback on the proposed changes to existing boating and swimming zones. You can email your response to boatingzonereview@parks.vic.gov.au  

Or submit your response in writing:

Feedback must be received by Friday December 16, 2016. To keep informed about the review, send your contact details to boatingzonereview@parks.vic.gov.au.

There’s greater details about this subject at
Boating Zone Review.

www.seafoxboats.com.au.