Lake Wendouree Waterway Rules

The City of Ballarat is the declared waterway manager for Lake Wendouree. We’re proposing updates to the current waterway rules in accordance with Section 196 of the Marine Safety Act 2010.

These updates aim to make the lake safer and easier to use for all recreational users — including rowers, sailors, fishers and boating clubs. The changes reflect feedback from previous consultation and trial periods.

We are now seeking final feedback from stakeholders and waterway users before submitting the proposed rules to Safe Transport Victoria for approval.

Have Your Say

If you’re a stakeholder, club representative or individual lake user, we invite you to review the proposed rule changes and share your thoughts.

Your input will help us finalise the rules and demonstrate how we’ve considered stakeholder feedback throughout this process.

We want to hear from you

If you’re a stakeholder or waterway user, please take a few minutes to complete the short feedback form below.

What’s Changing?

Proposed updates to the Lake Wendouree Waterway Rules

The proposed changes include:

Speed limit zones

  • A 5-knot speed limit will apply to all motorised vessels, except boats coaching human-powered vessels.

Water levels and restrictions

  • If lake levels fall below 449.90 AHD (500mm below full capacity), vessels with engines used for propulsion will not be permitted.
  • If levels fall below 449.65 AHD (750mm below full), the lake will be closed to all vessels.

Rowing course access

  • The designated rowing course will have set operational hours during the season (1 September to 30 April):
    • Weekdays: 6.00am–9.00am and 4.00pm–8.00pm
    • Weekends: 7.00am–11.00am
  • During these special purpose hours, all other vessels must give way and cross only at designated points. No anchoring is allowed on the rowing course at any time.

Maximum vessel draft

  • All vessels must have a draft of less than 1600mm.

Aquatic harvester clearance

  • When aquatic plant harvesters are operating and display a “limited manoeuvrability” signal, other vessels must maintain a 30m distance.
View of Lake Wendouree with calm water in the foregroup and a row of leafy green trees along the shoreline under a partly cloudy sky. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a reflection on the water.

How to Access the Full Proposal

View the full proposed rule changes:

Under the Document Library section of this page.

Hard copies of the proposed changes are also available at:

  • City of Ballarat Customer Service Centre – The Phoenix, 25 Armstrong Street South, Ballarat
  • Robert Clark Centre – Ballarat Botanical Gardens - Gillies St N, Lake Wendouree

Available Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm.