{"id":"sr:national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025","name":"National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025","slug":"national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":184237,"registerId":"vic-sr:national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025","content":"Version No. 001\n\n**National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 64/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n1 July 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Objectives 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Definitions 1\n\nPart 2—Entry fees 4\n\n5 Entry fees 4\n\n6 Offence to enter the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct without paying a fee 4\n\nSchedule 1—Maximum fees for entry to the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct 6\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 7\n\n1 General information 7\n\n2 Table of Amendments 9\n\n3 Explanatory details 10\n\n**Version No.** **001**\n\n**National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025**\n\n**S.R. No. 64/2025**\n\nVersion as at  \n1 July 2025\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Objectives\n\nThe objectives of these Regulations are—\n\n(a) to prescribe the fees payable in respect of entry to the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct under the **National Parks Act 1975**; and\n\n(b) to provide for the reduction or waiver of such fees.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 48 of the **National Parks Act 1975**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 1 July 2025.\n\n\t4 Definitions\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***agreed activity*** has the same meaning as in section 79 of the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**;\n\n***Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct*** means the area shown hatched on the plan lodged in the Central Plan Office and numbered LEGL./25-008;\n\n***concession*** means an eligible person under section 3 of the **State Concessions Act 2004**;\n\n***entry fee*** means the fee payable under regulation 5;\n\n***land manager***  means the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority;\n\n***relevant land Act*** means—\n\n(a) the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**; or\n\n(b) the **Forests Act 1958**; or\n\n(c) the **Land Act 1958**; or\n\n(d) the **National Parks Act 1975**; or\n\n(e) Parts II and IIA of the **Wildlife Act 1975**; or\n\n(f) Division 3 of Part 5 of the **Fisheries Act 1995**; or\n\n(g) any other Act that provides for the use, management or control of particular land, or a particular class of land, reserved under the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**; or\n\n(h) any other Act under which a lease, licence or other authority may be granted, issued or given in respect of—\n\n(i) land vested in any public authority, other than a municipal council; or\n\n(ii) particular land, or a particular class of land, reserved under the **Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978**;\n\n***traditional owner group***  has the  same meaning as in section 3 of the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**;\n\n***traditional owner group agreement*** means an agreement under Part 6 of the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**;\n\n***traditional owner group entity*** has the  same meaning as in section 3 of the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**.\n\nPart 2—Entry fees\n\n\t5 Entry fees\n\n(1) The fee payable for a person to enter the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct is the fee, if any, set out in Column 3 of the table in Schedule 1 that corresponds to the relevant class of entry for that person specified in Column 2 of that table.\n\n(2) The land manager may waive or reduce a fee specified under subregulation (1).\n\n(3) The land manager must—\n\n(a) cause signs or notices to be displayed in a place and in a manner likely to be seen by any persons entering the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct; and\n\n(b) publish any payable fee on the Internet site of the land manager.\n\n**Note**\n\nThe Internet site for the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is www.greatoceanroadauthority.vic.gov.au.\n\n\t6 Offence to enter the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct without paying a fee\n\n(1) A person must not enter the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct unless the entry fee, if any, payable for that person's entry under regulation 5 has been paid.\n\nPenalty: 5 penalty units.\n\n(2) A person does not contravene subregulation (1) if—\n\n(a) the person is a member of a traditional owner group entity that has entered into a traditional owner group agreement that applies to the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct and is bound by that agreement, and the person enters the Precinct in the course of carrying out an agreed activity in accordance with that agreement; or\n\n(b) the land manager has waived the fee under regulation 5(2); or\n\n(c) the person is acting as a servant or agent of the Crown; or\n\n(d) the person is acting under and in accordance with—\n\n(i) a contract with the Crown; or\n\n(ii) a contract with a person acting as a servant or agent of the Crown; or\n\n(iii) the terms and conditions of a lease, licence, permit or other authority granted under a relevant land Act that authorises the person to engage in that activity or conduct; or\n\n(iv) the terms and conditions of an agreement entered into under a relevant land Act that authorises the person to engage in that activity or conduct; or\n\n(e) the person is acting under the direction of a person acting as a servant or agent of the Crown; or\n\n(f) the person is acting with the permission of a person acting as a servant or agent of the Crown; or\n\n(g) the person is an authorised officer acting in the course of the authorised officer's duties.\n\nSchedule 1—Maximum fees for entry to the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct\n\nRegulation 5\n\n| *Column 1*   <br>*Item No.* | *Column 2*   <br>*Class of entry* | *Column 3*<br>*Maximum daily entry fee* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) | 3·43 fee units |\n| 2 | Adult (aged 16 years or older) | 1·35 fee units |\n| 3 | Concession | 1·23 fee units |\n| 4 | Child (aged 5 years or older) | 0·56 fee units |\n| 5 | Child under 5 years | Free |\n\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025, S.R. No. 64/2025 were made on 1 July 2025 by the Governor in Council under section 48 of the **National Parks Act 1975**, No. 8702/1975 and came into operation on 1 July 2025: regulation 3.\n\nThe National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 1 July 2035 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThere are no amendments made to the National Parks (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct Fee) Regulations 2025 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\n**Fee Units**\n\nThese Regulations provide for fees by reference to fee units within the meaning of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The amount of the fee is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of that Act, by multiplying the number of fee units applicable by the value of a fee unit.\n\nThe value of a fee unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 is $16.81. The amount of the calculated fee may be rounded to the nearest 10 cents.\n\nThe value of a fee unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The value of a fee unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.\n\n**Penalty Units**\n\nThese Regulations provide for penalties by reference to penalty units within the meaning of section 110 of the **Sentencing Act 1991**. The amount of the penalty is to be calculated, in accordance with section 7 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**, by multiplying the number of penalty units applicable by the value of a penalty unit.\n\nThe value of a penalty unit for the financial year commencing 1 July 2025 is $203.51. The amount of the calculated penalty may be rounded to the nearest dollar.\n\nThe value of a penalty unit for future financial years is to be fixed by the Treasurer under section 5 of the **Monetary Units Act 2004**. The value of a penalty unit for a financial year must be published in the Government Gazette and a Victorian newspaper before 1 June in the preceding financial year.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of prescribing entry fees for a specific tourist precinct. The scope has not expanded beyond fee-setting, waiver provisions, and enforcement for the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct."},"complexity_factors":["11 defined terms in the interpretation section (regulation 4), including complex nested definitions referencing other Acts","Extensive cross-referencing to 8+ other pieces of legislation (National Parks Act 1975, Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, State Concessions Act 2004, Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978, Forests Act 1958, Land Act 1958, Wildlife Act 1975, Fisheries Act 1995, Monetary Units Act 2004, Sentencing Act 1991)","Fee calculation requires external lookup: fees are expressed in 'fee units' requiring multiplication by a yearly variable ($16.81 for 2025-26) published elsewhere","Penalty calculation similarly requires external lookup via 'penalty units' ($203.51 for 2025-26)","7 distinct exemption categories in regulation 6(2), some with nested sub-categories (e.g., 6(2)(d) has 4 sub-points)","Geographic boundary defined by reference to a lodged plan (LEGL./25-008) not included in the text"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets out the rules for charging entry fees to visit the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct—a specific area within a national park in Victoria that includes the historic lighthouse.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Sets entry fees**: Visitors must pay to enter the precinct. The fees are calculated using \"fee units\" (a system where the dollar amount changes yearly based on inflation). As of 1 July 2025, a family ticket costs about $57.60 (3.43 fee units × $16.81), an adult about $22.70, a concession holder about $20.70, and children aged 5–15 about $9.40. Kids under 5 get in free.\n- **Creates an offence**: It's illegal to enter without paying the fee, with a maximum penalty of 5 penalty units (about $1,017 as of July 2025).\n- **Allows exemptions**: The land manager (Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority) can waive or reduce fees. Additionally, certain people don't have to pay, including:\n  - Traditional Owners carrying out cultural activities under formal agreements\n  - Government employees and contractors working in the area\n  - People with valid leases, licences or permits for the land\n  - Authorised officers (like rangers) doing their job\n- **Requires signage**: The authority must put up signs about the fees and publish them online.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Tourists and visitors to the Cape Otway lighthouse\n- The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority (which manages the site)\n- Traditional Owner groups with recognised agreements\n- Contractors and government staff working in the area\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is essentially a ticketing system for a specific tourist attraction. It formalises how much visitors pay, ensures Traditional Owners retain access for cultural purposes, and establishes penalties for fare evasion. The use of \"fee units\" and \"penalty units\" means the actual dollar amounts automatically adjust each year without needing new legislation."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"These Regulations implement the authorising power in section 48 of the National Parks Act 1975 by prescribing entry fees and exemptions for the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct (regs 1–6, Schedule 1). They do not broaden the classes of activities authorised on the land or create new statutory powers beyond fee-setting, waiver authority and enforcement provisions; scope is confined to fee regulation for this precinct."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, single-site scope (Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct) reduces systemic complexity","Fee schedule set in fee units (requires conversion under Monetary Units Act; rounding rules) (Explanatory details)","Land manager discretion to waive or reduce fees (reg 5(2)) introduces decision-making and record-keeping demands","Multiple specific statutory exemptions and factual tests (traditional owner agreements, Crown servants, contracts, licences under relevant land Acts, authorised officers) (reg 6(2))","Numerous cross-references to other Acts for definitions and powers (National Parks Act 1975; Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010; State Concessions Act 2004; relevant land Acts)","Schedule prescribes maximum fees (not fixed amounts), allowing future adjustment via fee unit value changes by the Treasurer","Publication and signage obligations for the land manager (reg 5(3))","Sunset date (10 years) requires re‑evaluation or replacement planning (Endnotes)"],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set the maximum daily entry fees for the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct and make it an offence to enter without paying (regs 5–6). The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority is the land manager; it may waive or reduce fees and must display signage and publish fees online. \n\nThey affect visitors (including adults, families, children and concession-holders), traditional owner group members undertaking agreed activities, Crown contractors and authorised officers (listed exemptions). Fees are expressed in fee units (Schedule 1; Explanatory details)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"No evidence of scope change from original intent. The regulation appears to do exactly what its title says — set fees for the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct. This is a routine administrative instrument with a tightly defined and consistent purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow and specific subject matter — applies to a single heritage precinct","Delegated legislation (statutory rule) under a parent Act, adding one layer of legal hierarchy to understand","Fee regulations typically contain simple schedules but may reference definitions in the parent National Parks Act","Limited regulatory content visible — the document appears incomplete, preventing full assessment of any nuanced provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation establishes and makes legally enforceable the entry/access fees for the Cape Otway Lightstation Precinct under Victoria’s National Parks Act 1975. It affects visitors, tour operators and Parks Victoria staff by determining what is charged at the site and updating the fee framework that applies to one of the state’s key heritage tourism attractions."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025","history":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025/history","analysis":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/national-parks-cape-otway-lightstation-precinct-fee-regulations-2025/documents"}}