Waterway closure details

Lake Charm - closed to the public on Saturday 21 March 2026

Notice is hereby given that Lake Charm will be closed to the public from 6.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday 21 March 2026. The purpose of the lake closure is for the Victorian Outboard Club Archer Eade Memorial event.

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 Lake Charm, makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by Victorian Outboard Club, persons and vessels involved in the Archer Eade Memorial 2026 event 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(a) – must not exceed 5 knots within 50 metres of the water’s edge

    

   Waterway Rules made under the Marine Safety Act 2010 / Marine Act 1988

4. Clause 139.9(b) of Schedule 139 – area prohibited to vessels on Lake Charm, north of Boat Launching Ramp No.2

    

   Marine Safety Regulations 2023

5. Regulation 44(2)(b) – holders of Restricted Marine Licences to operate a vessel at a speed not exceeding 10 knots

    

   Modification

6. Item 6 For the purpose of boating activity conducted by Victorian Outboard Club a Lifejacket of a type described in Part 2 & 5 of “Schedule 1 - Types of Lifejackets”, of the Marine Safety Regulations 2023 (MSRs) is modified to include a lifejacket is deemed a Level 100 plus lifejacket or a Type 1 lifejacket if it complies with the current Australian Power Boat Association (APBA) Rule Book – rule 801

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of rescue vessels 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 onshore.
• Masters of competing vessels are exempt from item 2 for the duration of the event and item 3 provided they maintain a minimum speed necessary for navigation.
• Masters of all vessels are exempt from item 4 for the duration of the event, provided all vessels maintain a minimum speed necessary for navigation and minimising wash when in this area.
• Occupants of competing vessels must wear a Level 100 plus or Type 1 Lifejacket that complies with the MSRs or item 6 Modification.
• Persons on course and rescue vessels involved with the event must always wear a lifejacket during the event (exception for Rescue Divers wearing thermal wet suits with positive buoyancy) and must have all prescribed safety equipment.
• Competing APBA vessels have an exemption from the requirement of Regulation 61 for carriage of some required safety equipment (besides lifejackets). Refer to Exemption Notice 1 for details.
• Masters of Formula Future class vessels holding a Restricted Marine Licence are only exempt from Regulation 44(2)(b) provided they have completed the training required by APBA Victoria as detailed in the Formula Future Safety Management Plan and hold the appropriate APBA Formula Future licence, and must not exceed the following speeds:
  1. J1 class – 19 knots
  2. J2 class – 33 knots
  3. J3 class – 40 knots
  4. 25hp class – 47 knots
  5. F4 class – 60 knots.
• All interstate vessel masters in Formula Future classes must hold the appropriate APBA Formula Future licence and have documented proof they have competed in at least 3 events (9 races) in their home state before competing at an event in Victoria. Should they not provide this proof they must complete the training required by APBA Victoria as detailed in the Formula Future Safety Management Plan.
• In the event of any incident that results in hospitalisation or fatality involving a person or vessel directly or indirectly involved in the event, these must be immediately reported to Safe Transport Victoria and Victoria Police. In the case of all other incidents, Safe Transport Victoria requires an incident report within seven (7) days and a finalised report within thirty (30) days.
• The exemptions and modification apply between the hours of 6.00am to 6.00pm on Saturday 21 March 2026 within the exclusion zone waters of Lake Charm.
• The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to.

BY ORDER OF GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL

Dated: 6 January 2026

Marine Safety Act 2010

Section 208(2)

NOTICE OF BOATING ACTIVITY EXCLUSION ZONE

Gannawarra Shire Council as the declared waterway manager for Lake Charm 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 the Victorian Outboard Club Archer Eade Memorial 2026 event are prohibited from entering and remaining in the following waters.

Waters of Lake Charm – Entire Lake.

The exclusion zone will be in effect from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday 21 March 2026.

BY ORDER OF GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL
Dated: 6 January 2026

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

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

BY ORDER OF GANNAWARRA SHIRE COUNCIL

DATED: 23 October 2025