{"id":"sr:water-infringements-regulations-2020","name":"Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020","slug":"water-infringements-regulations-2020","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181621,"registerId":"vic-sr:water-infringements-regulations-2020-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020","content":"Version No. 003\n\n**Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020**\n\n**S.R. No. 67/2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 December 2025\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Regulation Page*\n\n1 Objective 1\n\n2 Authorising provision 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Definition 1\n\n5 Prescribed infringement penalties 1\n\n6 Prescribed water infringement offences 2\n\nSchedule 1—Water infringement offences and infringement penalties 3\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 15\n\n1 General information 15\n\n2 Table of Amendments 17\n\n3 Explanatory details 18\n\n**Version No.** **003**\n\n**Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020**\n\n**S.R. No. 67/2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n17 December 2025\n\n\t1 Objective\n\nThe objective of these Regulations is to prescribe water infringement offences and infringement penalties for the purposes of the **Water Act 1989**.\n\n\t2 Authorising provision\n\nThese Regulations are made under section 324 of the **Water Act 1989**.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Regulations come into operation on 1 July 2020.\n\n\t4 Definition\n\nIn these Regulations—\n\n***the Act*** means the **Water Act 1989**.\n\n\t5 Prescribed infringement penalties\n\n(1) For the purposes of section 33EB of the Act, an infringement penalty specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 1 of Schedule 1 is prescribed in respect of the water infringement offence specified in Column 2 of the corresponding item.\n\n(2) For the purposes of section 63B of the Act, an infringement penalty specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 2 of Schedule 1 is prescribed in respect of the water infringement offence specified in Column 2 of the corresponding item.\n\n(3) For the purposes of section 289C of the Act, an infringement penalty specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 3 of Schedule 1 is prescribed in respect of the water infringement offence specified in Column 2 of the corresponding item.\n\n\t6 Prescribed water infringement offences\n\n(1) For the purposes of paragraph (d) of the definition of ***water infringement offence*** in section 3(1) of the Act, an offence specified in Column 2 of an item in Table 4 of Schedule 1 is prescribed as a water infringement offence for which an infringement notice may be served.\n\n(2) The infringement penalty specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 4 of Schedule 1 is prescribed in respect of the water infringement offence specified in Column 2 of the corresponding item.\n\nSchedule 1—Water infringement offences and infringement penalties\n\nRegulations 5 and 6\n\nSch. 1 (Table 1) amended by S.R. No. 150/2025 reg. 5(1).\n\nTable 1—Taking water without a water share\n\n| *Column 1*<br>*Item* | *Column 2*<br>*Water infringement offence* | *Column 3*<br>*Infringement penalty* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take water under a water share, taking an amount of water that is equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 2 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take water under a water share, taking an amount of water that is more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 3 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take water under a water share, taking an amount of water that is more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 4 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take water under a water share, taking an amount of water that is more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 5 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take a specified amount of water under a water share, taking an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the total authorised amount; and<br>(b) equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 6 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take a specified amount of water under a water share, taking an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the total authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>15 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 7 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take a specified amount of water under a water share, taking an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the total authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 8 | An offence against section 33E(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take a specified amount of water under a water share, taking an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the total authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n\n\nSch. 1 (Table 2) amended by S.R. No. 150/2025 reg. 5(2).\n\nTable 2—Taking or using water from a non‑declared water system\n\n| *Column 1*<br>*Item* | *Column 2*<br>*Water infringement offence* | *Column 3*<br>*Infringement penalty* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take or use water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water that is equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 2 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take or use water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water that is more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 3 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take or use water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water that is more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 4 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take or use water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water that is more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 5 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take or use a specified amount of water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 6 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take or use a specified amount of water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres. | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>15 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 7 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take or use a specified amount of water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 8 | An offence against section 63(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take or use a specified amount of water under an authorisation, taking or using an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n\n\nSch. 1 (Table 3) amended by S.R. No. 150/2025 reg. 5(3)(4).\n\nTable 3—Wrongful taking of water and interference with flow of water\n\n| *Column 1*<br>*Item* | *Column 2*<br>*Water infringement offence* | *Column 3*<br>*Infringement penalty* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take, use or divert water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water that is equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 2 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take, use or divert water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water that is more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 3 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take, use or divert water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water that is more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 4 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to take, use or divert water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water that is more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 5 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take, use or divert a specified amount of water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 6 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take, use or divert a specified amount of water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>15 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 7 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take, use or divert a specified amount of water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 8 | An offence against section 289(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to take, use or divert a specified amount of water, taking, using or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 9 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works, interfering by taking or diverting an amount of water that is equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 10 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water that is more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 11 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water that is more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 12 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, not being authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water that is more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 13 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works to take or divert a specified amount of water, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) equal to, or less than, 1 megalitre | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 14 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works to take or divert a specified amount of water, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 1 megalitre, and equal to, or less than, 2 megalitres | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>15 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 15 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works to take or divert a specified amount of water, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 2 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 5 megalitres | 6 penalty units for an individual<br>30 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 16 | An offence against section 289B(3) of the Act constituted by the person, who is authorised to interfere with the flow of water in a waterway, aquifer or works to take or divert a specified amount of water, interfering with the flow of water by taking or diverting an amount of water in addition to the authorised amount that is—<br>(a) equal to, or less than, 20% of the authorised amount; and<br>(b) more than 5 megalitres, and equal to, or less than, 10 megalitres | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n\n\nSch. 1 (Table 4) amended by S.R. Nos 86/2024 reg. 3, 150/2025 reg. 5(5)(6).\n\nTable 4—Further water infringement offences\n\n| *Column 1*<br>*Item* | *Column 2*<br>*Prescribed water infringement offence* | *Column 3*<br>*Infringement penalty* |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| 1 | An offence against section 55A of the Act | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 1A | An offence against section 64FZB(3) of the Act constituted by the person to whom a restriction determination under Subdivision 3 of Division 2 of Part 4AA of the Act applies, by taking an amount of water during the period of time specified in the determination at an average rate that exceeds the rate determined in accordance with the restriction determination, that is less than an average rate of 2 megalitres per day during the period of time specified in the determination | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 1B | An offence against section 64FZB(3) of the Act constituted by the person to whom a prohibition determination under Subdivision 3 of Division 2 of Part 4AA of the Act applies, by taking an amount of water in contravention of the prohibition determination, that is less than an average of 2 megalitres per day during the period of time specified in the determination | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 2 | An offence against section 70A of the Act | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 3 | An offence against section 170F(1) of the Act | 1 penalty unit |\n| 3A | An offence against section 288(3) of the Act constituted by the person destroying, damaging, removing, altering or interfering with a water meter or associated works of an Authority without the consent of the Authority or another authorisation | 12 penalty units for an individual<br>60 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 4 | An offence against regulation 6 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 5 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 5 | An offence against regulation 12 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 5 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 6 | An offence against regulation 14(6) of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 0∙75 penalty units for an individual<br>1∙5 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 7 | An offence against regulation 17(1) of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 5 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 8 | An offence against regulation 17(2) of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>6 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 9 | An offence against regulation 18 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 5 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 10 | An offence against regulation 19 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 5 penalty units for an individual<br>10 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 11 | An offence against regulation 20 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>6 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 12 | An offence against regulation 21 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>6 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 13 | An offence against regulation 22 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 3 penalty units for an individual<br>6 penalty units for a body corporate |\n| 14 | An offence against regulation 23 of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 | 1 penalty unit for an individual<br>2 penalty units for a body corporate |\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 Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020, S.R. No. 67/2020 were made on 30 June 2020 by the Governor in Council under section 324 of the **Water Act 1989**, No. 80/1989 and came into operation on 1 July 2020: regulation 3.\n\nThe Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 30 June 2030 (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\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the Water (Infringements) Regulations 2020 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nWater (Infringements) Amendment Regulations 2024, S.R. No. 86/2024\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 10.9.24 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 10.9.24 |\n\n\nWater (Infringements) Amendment Regulations 2025, S.R. No. 150/2025\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 16.12.25 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 17.12.25: reg. 3 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\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":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2020 regulations focused solely on water theft and unauthorised taking of water (Tables 1–3). However, amendments in 2024 and 2025 significantly expanded scope to include: (1) houseboat regulations for Lake Eildon (14 new items in Table 4 covering mooring, waste, and safety rules), and (2) specific restrictions on water use during drought or emergency determinations (items 1A and 1B regarding restriction and prohibition determinations). The regulations have grown from a pure water-theft enforcement tool to a broader recreational water management and emergency water restriction enforcement instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward tabular structure with 4 distinct tables covering different offence categories","Minimal defined terms (only 'the Act' is defined in regulation 4)","No nested conditional logic or exceptions to exceptions—penalties follow clear volume-based tiers","Simple cross-referencing: regulations 5 and 6 point directly to specific sections of the Water Act 1989 (sections 33EB, 63B, 289C, and 3(1))","Repetitive but clear structure: each table follows identical pattern (volume thresholds × authorisation status = specific penalty)","Recent amendments (2024, 2025) added new items to Table 4 without complicating existing structure","No discretionary powers, delegated decisions, or administrative procedures included"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set out the fines (called 'infringement penalties') for people or companies caught breaking water laws in Victoria under the Water Act 1989. Instead of going to court for minor offences, offenders can be issued an infringement notice (like a speeding ticket) with a set fine.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Farmers and landowners** who take water from rivers, bores, or dams without proper authorisation or take more than their allowed allocation\n- **Companies** (who pay higher fines than individuals)\n- **Houseboat owners** on Lake Eildon (specific rules about mooring, waste disposal, and safety)\n- **Anyone interfering with water meters** or water flow in waterways\n\n**How the fines work:**\nThe penalties are calculated in 'penalty units' (a standard dollar amount set by the government—currently about $203.51 per unit). The more water you take illegally, the higher the fine:\n\n- **Small amounts** (up to 1 megalitre): 1 penalty unit for individuals, 5 for companies\n- **Medium amounts** (1–10 megalitres): 3–12 penalty units for individuals, 10–60 for companies\n- **Exceeding your allocation by up to 20%**: Similar sliding scale based on volume\n- **Damaging water meters or serious violations**: Up to 12 penalty units (individuals) or 60 (companies)\n- **Houseboat violations**: Range from 0.75 to 5 penalty units depending on the rule broken\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese regulations create a streamlined, lower-cost way to enforce water rules without clogging up courts. They aim to discourage water theft and protect Victoria's water resources—critical during droughts—while distinguishing between minor overuse (a small fine) and serious commercial-scale theft (much heavier penalties)."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations were amended after making: notes in Schedule 1 and the Table of Amendments record amendments by S.R. No. 86/2024 and S.R. No. 150/2025. Those amendments inserted and amended items in the Schedule (including new prescribed offences linked to restriction/prohibition determinations under Part 4AA of the Act and references to the Lake Eildon houseboat regulations) and adjusted which offences are prescribed for infringement notices (see Schedule 1 table notes and Endnotes Table of Amendments)."},"complexity_factors":["Tiered volume bands across multiple Tables (1–3) with overlapping thresholds (e.g. ≤1ML, >1–≤2ML, >2–≤5ML, >5–≤10ML) creating detailed measurement rules (Schedule 1 Tables 1–3).","Different penalty-unit amounts for individuals versus bodies corporate across almost every item (Schedule 1 Tables 1–4), requiring dual calculations per offence.","Multiple cross-references to provisions of the Water Act 1989 (e.g. ss 33E, 63, 289, 289B, 55A, 70A, 170F, 288) that determine the underlying criminal elements (regs 5–6; Schedule 1).","Prescription of which statutory offences may be the subject of infringement notices (definition cross‑link to s 3(1) of the Act; reg 6(1)), which affects enforcement discretion and procedure.","External regulatory references (Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024) and newly inserted items (Schedule 1 Table 4) increase cross-instrument interaction and compliance mapping.","Penalty-unit valuation is governed by other statutes (Sentencing Act 1991; Monetary Units Act 2004) and varies by financial year, requiring dynamic calculation (Explanatory details).","Amendment history (S.R. No. 86/2024; S.R. No. 150/2025) alters scope and requires tracking consolidated versions (regulation notes and Table of Amendments).","Sunset date (10 years from making) imposes a temporal limit on regulation life (Endnotes), which affects regulatory planning and review."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations prescribe which unauthorised taking, use, diversion or interference offences under the *Water Act 1989* can be dealt with by an infringement notice, and set the infringement penalties (expressed in penalty units) for each specified offence and quantity band. They distinguish individuals and bodies corporate and apply tiered penalties by volume and by whether the person was authorised. \n\nInfringement notices may be served for the listed offences (regs 5–6, Schedule 1). Penalties are calculated by multiplying the listed penalty units by the monetary value of a penalty unit fixed under the Monetary Units Act (Explanatory details)."},"summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the limited information available, the regulation appears to fulfil its straightforward original intent: establishing an infringement notice (on-the-spot fine) regime for water law offences. There is no evidence from the provided text that its scope has expanded or shifted from that purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Limited substantive content was provided in the source document, making full analysis impossible","Infringement notice schemes involve interaction between the specific regulation, the parent Water Act, and the Infringements Act 2006 (Vic) — requiring cross-referencing multiple laws","Penalty unit calculations can change over time, adding a layer of complexity for those trying to determine current fine amounts","The regulation sits within a broader and moderately complex Victorian water law framework"],"plain_english_summary":"The regulation creates an infringement‑notice (on‑the‑spot fine) system for breaches of Victoria’s water laws, letting authorities impose financial penalties for minor offences instead of always going to court.  \n\nIt affects water users (landowners, farmers, licence holders) and enforcement officers, speeding up enforcement while preserving the recipient’s ability to dispute the notice or elect court proceedings."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020","history":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/water-infringements-regulations-2020/documents"}}