Waterway closure details

Gunbower Creek - closed to the public on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2025

Notice is hereby given that Gunbower Creek will be closed to the public from 7.00am on Saturday 8 November 2025 to 7.00pm on Sunday 9 November 2025. The purpose of the waterway closure is for the Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club event: Victorian/South Australian Interstate Challenge.

Gunbower Creek - closed to the public from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 April 2026

 

Notice is hereby given that Gunbower Creek will be closed to the public from 7.00am on Friday 10 April 2026 to 7.00pm on Sunday 19 April 2026. The purpose of the waterway closure is for the Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club event: The 64th Australian Barefoot Waterski National Championships.

Information about the exemptions made under section 203 of the Marine Safety Act 2010 is available below.

Any enquiries may be directed to Council’s Kerang Office on telephone (03) 5450 9333.

 

PUBLIC NOTICE

DECLARATION OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXEMPTION

 

Gannawarra Shire Council as the declared waterway manager for Gunbower Creek, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Barefoot Waterski Australia, persons and vessels involved in the Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club events are exempt from the following requirements:

State Rules made under the Marine Act 1988

  1. Clause 2(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a person in the water
  2. Clause 2(c) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of another vessel
  3. Clause 3(b) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of a fixed or floating structure

 

Marine Safety Regulations 2023

4. Regulation 66(3) – person must wear a lifejacket at all times when vessel is underway on inland waters

5. Regulation 69 – a person being towed must wear a lifejacket

6. Regulation 70(1) – master must ensure all occupants of vessel are wearing a lifejacket

7. Regulation 70(3) – master of a vessel must not tow a person unless the person is wearing a lifejacket

 

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

  • Masters of nominated towing vessels are exempt from items 1-3 for the duration of the event, provided only one nominated towing vessel/competitor is on the water in that event area at any one time, within the exclusion zone waters.
  • Masters of nominated towing vessels are only exempt from item 7 when towing persons who are exempt from item 5 in accordance with these conditions.
  • Barefoot skiers (limited to accredited barefoot water skiers who are highly skilled and competent in this activity) are only exempt from item 5 provided they wear a purpose designed wetsuit with impact protection and built-in buoyancy to float the wearer as per International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation rules.
  • Masters of PWCs vessels are exempt from items 4 & 6 when undertaking a retrieval of a competitor during the event.
  • Masters of rescue vessels (including PWC) are only exempt from items 1 to 3 when undertaking a rescue operation to retrieve persons in distress, provide for their initial medical or other needs and deliver them to a place of safety on shore.
  • All occupants of PWCs and vessels under 4.8m in length involved with the event must wear a lifejacket at all times during the event.
  • All vessels (including PWCs) involved with the event must have all prescribed safety equipment.
  • Should vessels of persons not involved in the event enter the competition exclusion zone, the event must be stopped until the unauthorised vessel or person has moved outside the zone.
  • In the event of any injuries which result in hospitalisation, a fatality or an incident involving a person or vessel not involved in the event, these must be immediately reported to Victoria Police and Safe Transport Victoria (ST Vic). In the case of all other incidents ST Vic requires incident reports within seven (7) days and a finalised report within 30 days.
  • The exemptions apply on dates and times nominated in Table 1 below, within the exclusion zone waters of Gunbower Creek within the Cohuna Ski Run.
  • The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

Table 1: Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club events

Event

Days

Dates

Times

Victorian/South Australian Interstate Challenge

Saturday & Sunday

8-9 November 2025

7am to 7pm

The 64th Australian Barefoot Waterski National Championships

Friday to Sunday (10 days)

10-19 April 2026

7am to 7pm

 

BY ORDER OF GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL

DATED: 23 October 2025

 

NOTICE OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXCLUSION ZONE

Gannawarra Shire Council as the declared waterway manager for Gunbower Creek hereby gives notice under section 208(2) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) that all persons and vessels not registered to take part in Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club events are prohibited from entering and remaining in the following waters.

Waters Gunbower Creek from Daltons Bridge (-35.826, 144.271) to the Cohuna Township Bridge. (-35.80977, 144.222).

The exclusion zone will be in effect for the dates, times and events listed in Table 1 below.

 

Table 1: Victorian Barefoot Waterski Club events at the Gunbower Creek

 

Event

Days

Dates

Times

Victorian/South Australian Interstate Challenge

Saturday & Sunday

8-9 November 2025

7am to 7pm

The 64th Australian Barefoot Waterski National Championships

Friday to Sunday (10 days)

10-19 April 2026

7am to 7pm

 

BY ORDER OF GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL

DATED: 23 October 2025

 

 

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