Declaration of Boating Activity Exemption - Dimboola Regatta 2025

Hindmarsh Shire Council, as the declared waterway manager for Wimmera River (within the Shire of Hindmarsh), makes the following declaration under section 203(3) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic).

For the purposes of boating activity conducted by the Dimboola Rowing Club, persons and vessels involved in the 2025 Annual Rowing Regatta and the Head of the Wimmera Rowing Regatta 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 68.2(c) of Schedule 68 – 5 knot speed restriction on the Wimmera River at Dimboola, Wimmera Street Bridge to Picnic Point.

Subject to the conditions detailed below:

• Masters of event official and rescue vessels are exempt from items 1 to 4 above 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.
• Masters of competing vessels are only exempt from items 2 to 4 in the above list when competing in the event.
• All powered vessels must be fitted with propeller guards in order to minimise the risk of propeller strike injury to people in the water.
• Occupants of rescue and powered vessels involved with the event must always wear a lifejacket during the event and carry all required safety equipment.
• The event is operating under the auspices of Rowing Victoria, including the Rowing Victoria Safety Management Plan, which meets the criteria of Clause 3 of Exemption Notice 1 made under the Marine Regulations 1999 in respect of the exemption for rowing vessels to not carry or wear a lifejacket.
• The exemptions apply to the times, dates and events as specified in Table 1 below, to the persons and vessels listed within the event application who are participating in the Dimboola Rowing Club regattas on the waters of the Wimmera River at Dimboola.
• The exemptions apply provided the stated safety controls and undertakings detailed in the application form and associated documentation are adhered to. 

BY ORDER OF HINDMARSH SHIRE COUNCIL
Dated 29/10/2025