The Lower Yarra River is governed via a variety of legislative and non-legislative mechanisms, which are administered by a number of State Government departments and authorities. These include statutory rules, court rulings, council bylaws, orders in council, notices, guidelines, practice statements, circulars, codes of practice and so on.
The following summary, provided by the Office of Regulation Reform, provides an overview of the major areas of control and influence.
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Major Agencies Department of Infrastructure The
Marine and Ports Division of D.O.I. provides advice on policy
and regulations, legislation reviews and safety and environmental
matters. The Department of Infrastructure also plays an overall
policy coordination role for strategic infrastructure along the
river. Department of Sustainability and Environment The
Parks, Flora and Fauna Division of D.S.E. provides policy advice
on marine conservation, coastal issues and local ports. D.S.E.
has an arrangement with Parks Victoria to act as the responsible
authority for managing the Yarra River and associated waterways. Parks Victoria Parks Victoria is the major agency responsible for management of the Yarra River waterway. It is responsible for recreational and navigational management of the river from Charles Grimes Bridge to Dights Falls. Overall responsibilities include the licensing (business) of commercial boat operators, berth leases, licensing of ticketing facilities, event management and authorising river closures. On
a day to day basis, Parks Victoria manages uses of privately owned
boats, management of commercial craft, dredging for navigation,
management of most public landings, on-river patrolling, dispute
management and has input to strategic land/water development proposals. City of Melbourne The City of Melbourne has broad powers to carry out its functions under the Local Government Act 1989. Specific
to the Lower Yarra River, the City of Melbourne has responsibility
for the lower and upper promenade of Southbank, leases of the
rowing sheds and tourist signage in the area. While the ticket
booth arrangements are the responsibility of Parks Victoria, the
booths were designed by the City and comply with Council planning
requirements. VicUrban VicUrban
has jurisdiction over Victoria Harbour and between Charles Grimes
Bridge and Bolte Bridge, including 25 metres of water from each
bank of the Yarra River. It can create local laws to regulate
activities on the water and can issue berthing licences and approve
the use of berthing for its jurisidiction. Marine Safety of Victoria The M.S.V is the main agency responsible for safety on Victorian waters, including the Yarra River. It administers the Marine Act 1988, including registration of vessels, regulation of the operation of vessels, pollution prevention, international conventions and enforcement of laws relating to the operations of vessels. Main
responsibilities include the issuing of annual Certificate of
Survey to commercial vessels, surveying passenger vessels and
hire drive vessels with berthed accommodation, assessment and
approval of new vessel design and surveying the construction of
new vessels. |
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Other Agencies Water Police The
Water Police coordinate marine incidents involving recreational
and commercial vessels, and undertake patrols and community liaison.
Water Police liaise with Australian Search and Rescue, the Marine
Board of Victoria, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard and the Australian
Marine Safety Association in relation to incidents, and with Parks
Victoria regarding the regulation of signage. Melbourne Port Corporation M.P.C.
plans and coordinates use of land within the Port of Melbourne
in relation to berths and associated infrastructure adjoining
the river, coordination of land-based recreational opportunities
and matters of environmental management and risk within the port
area. Melbourne Water Melbourne
Water is responsible for the environmental management of all waterways
(including the bed and banks of the Lower Yarra River) and major
drainage systems in relation to water quality, flood protection
and floodplain management affecting the river. Environmental Protection Authority The
EPA enforces the Environmental Protection Act 1970 and licenses
discharges of pollutants to the environment, including the Yarra
River. The Authority's responsibilities broadly encompass any
matter affecting the environmental condition of the river, as
well as ensuring that proposals for use of the river are consistent
with the State Environment Protection Policy -Schedule 7, Waters
of the Yarra Catchment. Federation Square Management Federation Square is privately owned by Federation Square Management, a proprietary limited company wholly owned by the State Government of Victoria. Federation Square Management is responsible for managing leases at the site. While
a large portion is public space, the private ownership of the
land means that Federation Square Management, in collaboration
with local authorites (City of Melbourne and Victoria Police etc),
plays a significant role in the day-to-day management of the space.
Federation Square Management also has ownership of the former
"vaults" area adjacent to Federation Wharf (formerly Princes Wharf). Tourism Victoria This agency markets the attractions of the Yarra River through its intrastate, interstate and international programs.
It provides advice on significant tourism projects along the river,
assesses funding proposals for tourism projects along the river
and, through affiliated agencies such as Victorian Tour Operators
Association and Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau, it provides
advice on professionalism and standards for tourism operators. State Boating Council The S.B.C. provides advice to the Minister for Ports and the Marine Board on all matters relating to recreational boating facilities and boating safety. |
