Page 593 - Week 02 - Thursday, 22 February 2018
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alpine waters. This will require all persons on smaller recreation boats, being boats less than 4.8 metres in length, or on an off-the-shore sailing boat of any size, to wear the appropriate life jacket at all times. Smaller boats and the off-the-shore boats which do not have a fixed keel are more prone to capsizing, and it is appropriate that persons on these boats wear appropriate safety equipment.
For larger boats there are requirements that life jackets must be carried on the boat and be available for persons on the boat. The type of life jackets required and how they are stored and available will be included in the regulations that support the bill to allow for a quick response to changing standards and practices governing their type, use and availability.
In summary, the proposed amendments will align the ACT with contemporary legislation, particularly with the rules governing boating use in surrounding New South Wales waters. With increased use of our waterways comes the increased risk of conflicts. The contemporary safety legislation contained in the bill will protect all users of our lakes, ensuring that our community can enjoy our waterways in the knowledge that appropriate safety measures are in place. I commend the bill to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Bill agreed to in principle.
Detail stage
Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Urban Renewal) (11.25), by leave: I move amendments Nos 1 to 5 circulated in my name together [see schedule 1 at page 647].
I table a supplementary explanatory statement to the government amendments. I am pleased to support these amendments today to the Lakes Amendment Bill 2017 for life jackets, to ensure consistency with surrounding New South Wales waters and the safe use of territory lakes under the Lakes Act 1976. The New South Wales regulations for alpine waters will require all persons on recreational boats under 4.8 metres in length and, as we have discussed, the off-the-beach sailing boats, to wear an appropriate life jacket at all times.
Googong Dam, Yass River and Lake Burrinjuck are all classified as alpine waters in New South Wales. The government amendment aligns the ACT with the corresponding New South Wales regulation for a person to wear life jackets for boats under 4.8 metres in length and the off-the-beach sailing boats.
In summary, it is important for lake users’ safety and to remove any confusion for Canberrans operating in the ACT or surrounding New South Wales waters and for visitors to our region that rules regarding the requirements to wear life jackets are
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