Safer boating and swimming zones are being introduced along the coastline from Point Lonsdale to Corio Bay next week, as part of Parks Victoria’s sweeping review of boating and swimming zones across Port Phillip and Western Port commences.
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water and Member for the Bellarine, Lisa Neville said that following extensive community consultation, the new, easy-to-identify signs and aids to navigation will be rolled out throughout summer as part of a $550,000 upgrade.
Swimming and boating zones will be clearly marked with new aids to navigation installed in the water. Parks Victoria will install signs on the shore and on the new aids to navigation clearly showing the new zones.
The four zones are:
- ‘swimming only’ - where no vessels are permitted
- ‘boating only’ - where only boating activities are permitted but speeds are limited to 5 knots
- ‘shared wind sports’ - where kite boards and wind surfers can exceed 5 knots within 200m of the shore unless they are within 50 metres from another vessel or swimmer
- ‘shared zones’ - where boating and swimming are both allowable but with vessel speeds limited to 5 knots within 200 metres from shore.
The term ‘vessel’ refers to all powered and unpowered boats and includes yachts, kite boards, personal water craft (including jetskis) and paddle craft. The fourth stage of the boating and swimming zone is funded through the Boating Safety and Facilities grant program and local Geelong company Elstone Diving Pty Ltd successfully tendered to complete the stage 4 works.
Maps featuring the new zones for the Bellarine Peninsula and Corio Bay are available at: .
For further information about the new boating and swimming zones visit or call the Parks Victoria on 13 1963
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water, Lisa Neville
“Parks Victoria has consulted widely with the community including local government, local businesses, boat operators and life-saving clubs when developing the new zones.”
“The new zones on the Bellarine Peninsula will create a safe environment with improved separation of boating and swimming activities in high usage areas, and will ensure sport and recreational activities such as kite boarding can be enjoyed legally and safely.”
“There are over 70 million visits by people enjoying the magnificent waters of Port Phillip and Western Port every year, so it’s important the boating and swimming zones provide a clear and balanced framework to maximise safety and enjoyment on the water.”
Reviewed 10 February 2021