The City of Ballarat is the declared waterway manager for the waters of Lake Wendouree.
In accordance with Section 196 of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Act), the City of Ballarat wishes to advise of proposed changes to waterway rules for Lake Wendouree.
The proposed rules include:
Speed limit zones – Apply 5 knot limit to all motorised vessels other than boats coaching human powered vessels.
Water levels – When water levels are lower than 449.90 AHD (500mm under the full lake level) at marker gauge on the east side of the lake, the whole of the waters of Lake Wendouree are prohibited to vessels equipped with engines used for propulsion. When water levels are lower than 449.65 AHD (750mm under the full lake level) at the same gauge, the whole of the waters of Lake Wendouree are prohibited to all vessels.
Rowing course – Formalise the rowing course as a designated area and include its operational hours – between 1 September and 30 April, 6.00am-9.00am and 4.00pm-8.00pm on weekdays, and 7.00am-11.00am on weekends – as “special purpose hours”. During special purpose hours, all vessels must give way when crossing the rowing course in designated crossing areas. Outside of the special purpose hours, the rowing course can be accessed by any vessel in accordance with this schedule. No anchoring is permitted on the rowing course.
Maximum draft – All vessels must have a draft less than 1600mm.
Harvester – When Aquatic Plant Harvesters display the “vessels limited in their ability to manoeuvre”, all vessels on the lake need to keep 30m clear of the harvester.
In accordance with the Act, the City of Ballarat invites submissions and comments from the public in relation to the proposed waterway rules.
Full details of the proposed rules can be obtained at https://www.mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au.
Copies of the rule proposal are available free of charge at the City of Ballarat’s Customer Service Centre at The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat, Victoria, from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
Submissions close 5pm on Saturday 21 June, 2025.
Ballarat West 3350
