{"id":"river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970","name":"River Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970","slug":"river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":176464,"registerId":"vic-river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"River Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970","content":"Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documentsi\nVersion No. 001\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction\nAct 1970\nAct No. 8009/1970\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 21 February 2001\nTABLE OF PROVISIONS\nSection Page\n1. Short title 1\n2. Definitions 1\n3. Power to Authority to construct railway 2\n4. Repealed 2\n5. Power to take lands required for railways 3\n6. Incorporation of Lands Compensation Act 1958 3\n7. Extent of liability in relation to fences 4\n8. Laws, by-laws etc. to be in force 5\n9. Audit Act and Land Acts not affected 5\n__________________\nSCHEDULE—River Entrance Docks Railway 6\n═══════════════\nENDNOTES 7\n1. General Information 7\n2. Table of Amendments 8\n3. Explanatory Details 9\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents1\nVersion No. 001\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction\nAct 1970\nAct No. 8009/1970\nVersion incorporating amendments as at 21 February 2001\nAn Act to authorize the Construction of a Line of Railway to\nconnect Melbourne with the Docks at the Mouth of the Yarra\nRiver and for other purposes.\nBE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by\nand with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council\nand the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present\nParliament assembled and by the authority of the same as\nfollows (that is to say):\n1. Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the River Entrance\nDocks Railway Construction Act 1970.\n2. Definitions\nIn this Act unless inconsistent with the context or\nsubject-matter—\n\"Authority\" means the \"State Transport\nAuthority\";\nLong Title\namended by\nNo. 9832 s. 2.\nS. 2 def. of\n\"Board\"\namended by\nNo. 9832\ns. 3(a),\nsubstituted as\n\"Authority\" by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n2\n* * * * *\n\"land\" includes all real estate messuages lands\ntenements and hereditaments of any tenure\nand easements rights and privileges over in\nor affecting land.\n3. Power to Authority to construct railway\n(1) The Authority may make and construct the\nfollowing railway and all proper works and\nconveniences in connexion therewith:\nA one thousand six hundred millimetres gauge\nrailway commencing at or near the junction of\nPigott Street and Footscray Road on the railway\nconnexion to North Wharf from the Melbourne\nGoods Yard and terminating at or near the\nboundary of lands in the vicinity of the mouth of\nthe Yarra River which are vested in or under the\ncontrol of the Port of Melbourne Authority and on\nwhich are situated certain docks in the line and\nupon the lands described in the Schedule to this\nAct, to be called the River Entrance Docks\nRailway.\n(2) It shall be lawful to deviate from the line of the\nsaid railway on either side thereof at any part\nthereof; and in consequence of such deviation the\nsaid line may be increased in length to an extent\nof not more than one-tenth of the length of the line\nas shown in the said Schedule.\n* * * * *\nS. 2 def. of\n\"Commiss-\nioners\"\nrepealed by\nNo. 9832\ns. 3(b).\nS. 3(1)\nsubstituted by\nNo. 9832 s. 4,\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\ns. 3\nS. 4\nrepealed by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n3\n5. Power to take lands required for railways\n(1) The Authority may take and use, and acquire by\nagreement or compulsorily, any land which\nappears to the Authority to be required for the\nconstruction of the railway works and\nconveniences authorized by this Act.\n(2) For the purposes of this Act the Authority may\nclose divert take and use any road or portion of a\nroad.\n(3) In the exercise of the powers granted by this Act\nthe Authority and other persons shall do as little\ndamage as may be.\n6. Incorporation of Lands Compensation Act 1958\n(1) The Lands Compensation Act 1958 is hereby\nincorporated with this Act and shall be construed\ntogether herewith as one Act and subject to this\nAct shall take effect with regard to the acquisition\nor use of land for the purpose of the construction\nof the railway works and conveniences authorized\nby this Act and with regard to the making of\ncompensation to all persons interested in any\nlands or hereditaments to be acquired for or used\nin connexion with or injured or prejudicially\naffected by such works or by other land of the\nsame person being severed therefrom.\n(2) In the construction of the Lands Compensation\nAct 1958 for the purposes of this section unless\ninconsistent with the context or subject-matter—\ns. 5\nS. 5(1)\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\nS. 5(2)\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\nS. 5(3)\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n4\n\"the Minister of Public Works\" or \"Minister\"\nmeans the Authority;\n\"the Special Act\" means this Act.\n7. Extent of liability in relation to fences\n(1) In the construction of the said line of railway, the\nAuthority shall erect on the said line of railway\nsuch dividing and other fences as it deems\nnecessary.\n(2) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any\nAct, the Authority shall not—\n(a) be liable to maintain, or contribute to the\nmaintenance of, any such fences once\nerected; or\n(b) be liable for any damage which may be\ncaused by reason of any portion of the said\nline of railway not being fenced in or fenced\noff.\n(3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any\nAct, the Authority shall not—\n(a) be liable to erect or maintain, or contribute to\nthe erection or maintenance of, any dividing\nor other fence on the said line of railway; or\n(b) be liable for any damage which may be\ncaused by reason of any portion of the said\nline of railway not being fenced in or fenced\noff.\nS. 6(2) def. of\n\"the Minister\nof Public\nWorks\" or\n\"Minister\"\namended by\nNos 9832 s. 5,\n9921 s. 255\n(Sch. 12).\nS. 7(1)\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\ns. 7\nS. 7(2)\namended by\nNo. 9921\ns. 255\n(Sch. 12).\nS. 7(3)\namended by\nNos 9832 s. 6,\n9921 s. 255\n(Sch. 12).\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n5\n8. Laws, by-laws etc. to be in force\nAll laws by-laws regulations and conditions for\nthe time being in force on the railways vested in\nthe Authority shall so far as the same are capable\nof being applied be in force on the railway\nauthorized by this Act to be constructed.\n9. Audit Act and Land Acts not affected\nNothing in this Act shall affect or in any manner\nalter or vary any of the provisions of the Audit\nAct 1958 or of any Acts relating to Crown lands.\n__________________\nS. 8\namended by\nNos 9832 s. 6,\n9921 s. 255\n(Sch. 12).\ns. 8\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n6\nSCHEDULE\nRIVER ENTRANCE DOCKS RAILWAY\nCommencing on or near Footscray Road on the railway connexion to North\nWharf from the Melbourne Goods Yard in the Parish of Melbourne North\nand proceeding thence for about 5⋅7 kilometres, passing in a southerly\ndirection along the Charles Grimes Bridge northern approach road, thence\npassing over the Yarra River, thence passing in a westerly direction along\nLorimer Street, thence in a southerly direction along Todd Road, thence in a\nsouth westerly direction terminating at the boundary of the lands vested in or\nunder the control of the Port of Melbourne Authority and on which certain\ndocks are situated and certain other docks and certain facilities for the\nhandling of cargo are proposed to be constructed in the Parish of Melbourne\nSouth.\n═══════════════\nSection 3.\nSch.\nsubstituted by\nNo. 9832 s. 7.\nSch.\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n7\nENDNOTES\n1. General Information\nThe River Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970 was assented\nto on 24 November 1970 and came into operation on 24 November 1970.\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n8\n2. Table of Amendments\nThis Version incorporates amendments made to the River Entrance Docks\nRailway Construction Act 1970 by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction (Amendment) Act 1982,\nNo. 9832/1982\nAssent Date: 21.12.82\nCommencement Date: 21.12.82: s. 1(2)\nCurrent State: All of Act in operation\nTransport Act 1983, No. 9921/1983\nAssent Date: 23.6.83\nCommencement Date: S. 255(Sch. 12) on 1.7.83: s. 1(2)(c)\nCurrent State: This information relates only to the provision/s\namending the River Entrance Docks Railway\nConstruction Act 1970\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\nEndnotes\n\nVictorian Legislation and Parliamentary DocumentsAct No. 8009/1970\nRiver Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970\n9\n3. Explanatory Details\nNo entries at date of publication.\nEndnotes","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, there is no evidence the scope changed from its original intent. This appears to be a straightforward single-purpose construction authorisation act that was passed and executed as intended. The lack of significant amendments in the version history supports this conclusion."},"complexity_factors":["Limited legislative content available for analysis — the document appears to contain mostly metadata and version history rather than substantive provisions","Single-purpose infrastructure act with a narrow, specific subject matter","Historical legislation from 1970 with limited ongoing relevance","No visible amending acts or complex regulatory framework to navigate"],"plain_english_summary":"The River Entrance Docks Railway Construction Act 1970 (Victoria) authorised construction of a specific railway linking to dock facilities, giving officials power to acquire land, build the line and spend public money. It mainly affected railway and port authorities, landowners whose property might be taken, and construction workers and businesses at the time. Today it is essentially historical—likely still on the books but functionally dormant after the project’s completion."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act's core scope remains to authorise construction of the specified River Entrance Docks Railway and to provide associated land‑acquisition powers. Subsequent amendments updated institutional names and removed obsolete provisions but did not alter the Act's substantive authorisation, compensation framework or principal powers to acquire land and apply existing railway laws."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference and incorporation of the Lands Compensation Act 1958 for acquisition and compensation procedures, requiring statutory interpretation across two Acts","Power to acquire land compulsorily and to close/divert roads increases administrative and procedural requirements","Route deviation allowance (up to 10% longer) introduces flexibility that may complicate land take calculations and planning","Exemptions from liability for erection/maintenance of fences and related damage create atypical liability allocation needing careful application","Application of existing Authority laws, by‑laws and regulations to the new railway requires mapping of regulatory regimes","Schedule provides a geographical description rather than parcel‑level details, requiring contemporary surveying/mapping to identify affected land","Amendments and repeals (institutional name changes and removed provisions) require attention to historical versions when assessing current powers"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act authorises the State Transport Authority to build and operate a 1,600 mm‑gauge railway linking the Melbourne goods yard/North Wharf area to docks at the mouth of the Yarra River, including associated works and permitted route deviations. It allows the Authority to acquire land (by agreement or compulsorily), close or divert roads and to apply existing railway laws to the new line.\n\nDecisions on construction, route and land take are made by the Authority; compensation for acquisition or injury to land is governed by the Lands Compensation Act 1958. The State bears construction and acquisition costs while landowners and Port‑land stakeholders face changes in land use and access."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: authorising a specific railway line to Melbourne's river entrance docks. The amendments (1982, 1983) were purely administrative updates to reflect organisational changes (replacing 'Board' and 'Commissioners' with 'Authority'), not expansions of scope. The Act has not grown beyond its original infrastructure authorisation purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Only 9 sections (one repealed), approximately 6 pages of substantive content","Minimal defined terms: only 'Authority' and 'land' formally defined","Single cross-reference: incorporates Lands Compensation Act 1958 with specific substitutions","Simple conditional logic: standard 'unless inconsistent with context' clauses","No nested exceptions or complex procedural requirements","Straightforward purpose-built statute with narrow, specific scope"],"plain_english_summary":"This is a Victorian law from 1970 that gave the State Transport Authority (formerly the Victorian Railways Commissioners) permission to build a specific railway line in Melbourne's docklands area.\n\n**What it does:**\n- Authorises construction of a 5.7km railway line connecting Melbourne's goods yards to the docks at the mouth of the Yarra River (near what is now the Port of Melbourne area)\n- The line runs from Footscray Road, crosses the Yarra River, and ends at the docklands area\n- Allows the Authority to acquire land (by agreement or compulsory acquisition) needed for the railway\n- Lets the Authority close or divert roads if necessary\n- Brings in the Lands Compensation Act 1958 to handle payments to people whose land is taken or damaged\n\n**Key protections and limits:**\n- The Authority must build fences along the railway where it thinks necessary, but explicitly isn't required to maintain them afterwards\n- The Authority isn't liable for damage caused by unfenced sections\n- Existing railway laws and regulations apply to this new line\n- Doesn't override the Audit Act 1958 or Crown land laws\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Property owners along the route (who could have land acquired)\n- The State Transport Authority (now part of Victoria's public transport system)\n- Anyone using roads that might be diverted\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis was infrastructure legislation enabling freight rail access to Melbourne's port facilities. The railway was intended to support cargo handling and dock operations. The Act has been amended twice (1982 and 1983) mainly to update which government body was responsible as transport bureaucracy reorganised."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970","history":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970/history","analysis":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/river-entrance-docks-railway-construction-act-1970/documents"}}