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The Water Act

Healthy Waterways

The Water Act 1989 (Vic) provides the legal framework for managing Victoria’s water resources.

The Act is available online at the Victorian Law Today Library.

The main purpose of the Water Act is to:

  • promote the equitable and efficient use of our water resources
  • make sure our water resources are conserved and properly managed for the benefit of all Victorians
  • increase community involvement in conserving and managing our water resources.

Amongst other things, the Act states that we have the power to make by-laws (special rules published in the Government Gazette which apply within a specific area of Melbourne Water’s responsibility).

Since the Water Act came into operation, we have made two by-laws:

  • By-law No. 1: Water Supply Protection, dated 24 January 2008
  • By-law No. 2: Waterways, Land and Works Protection and Management, dated 9 April 2009

By-law No. 1: Water Supply Protection

The objectives of By-law No. 1 include:

  • protecting catchments and the water supply system
  • preventing pollution of, and damage to, the catchments and water supply system.

This by-law also provides for the publication of notices setting out the land, areas and works that are subject to access or activity prohibitions.

It also prohibits interference with water supply facilities and certain catchment areas.

By-law No. 1: Water Supply Protection (PDF, 34kb)

By-law No. 2: Waterways, Land and Works Protection and Management

The objectives of By-law No. 2 include:

  • preventing or minimising interference with the flow of water
  • preventing or minimising pollution of our waterways
  • prohibiting or regulating the removal of materials from our waterways
  • regulating certain activities.

Amongst other things, this By-law prohibits certain activities without written authorisation from Melbourne Water, such as:

  • general access
  • interference with Melbourne Water property
  • the carrying out of activities that interfere with the flow of water, cause erosion or pollution, damage vegetation or removal of soil (without a permit issued under this By-law)
  • lighting a fire
  • fishing or swimming
  • using or leaving vehicles or vessels
  • entering drains
  • dumping rubbish
  • camping
  • causing noxious weeds to become established.

By-law No. 2: Waterways, Land and Works Protection and Management (PDF, 57kb)

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