{"id":"nsw:sl-2023-0479","name":"Water Management (Murray River Traffic) Regulation 2023","slug":"water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"479 of 2023","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":175978,"registerId":"nsw-nsw:sl-2023-0479-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of regulation","content":"#### 1 Name of regulation\n\n1 Name of regulation\n\n> This regulation is the [Water Management (Murray River Traffic) Regulation 2023](/view/html/inforce/current/sl-2023-0479).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This regulation commences on the day on which it is published on the NSW legislation website.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> This regulation repeals and replaces the [Water Management (River Murray Traffic) Regulation 2016](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2016-0312), which would otherwise be repealed on 1 September 2023 by the [Subordinate Legislation Act 1989](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1989-146), section 10(2).","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> In this regulation—\n> \n> lock means Lock Number 7, 8, 9, 10 or 15, and includes the chamber of the lock.\n> \n> lock-keeper, in relation to a lock, means the person in charge of the lock and appointed by a relevant Authority.\n> \n> master means—\n> \n> > (a) in relation to a vessel—the person in charge of the vessel, or\n> \n> > (b) in relation to a vessel being towed by another vessel—the person in charge of the towing vessel.\n> \n> navigable pass, in relation to a weir, means the part of the weir that can be lowered during a period of high water flow, to render the chamber of the lock located at the weir inoperable.\n> \n> relevant Authority means—\n> \n> > (a) Water NSW, or\n> \n> > (b) the South Australian Water Corporation, or\n> \n> > (c) the Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Corporation of Victoria.\n> \n> the Act means the [Water Management Act 2000](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2000-092).\n> \n> vessel means a type of ship, boat or marine craft that floats, hovers or is submersible.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> The Act and the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contain definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this regulation.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Application","content":"#### 4 Application\n\n4 Application\n\n> This regulation applies to the following works—\n> \n> > (a) Edward River Offtake,\n> \n> > (b) Hume Dam,\n> \n> > (c) Koondrook-Perricoota Flood Enhancement Works,\n> \n> > (d) Lake Victoria Works,\n> \n> > (e) Lock Number 7, 8, 9, 10 and 15,\n> \n> > (f) Weir Number 11 (Mildura),\n> \n> > (g) Yarrawonga Weir.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Control of vessels at locks","content":"# Part 2 Control of vessels at locks\n\nPart 2 Control of vessels at locks","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Control of vessel passing through lock—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 5 Control of vessel passing through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n5 Control of vessel passing through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the master of a vessel passing through a lock must operate the vessel in accordance with the directions of the lock-keeper at the lock.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2) If there is no person on board the vessel who is able to comply with the directions of the lock-keeper, the lock-keeper may cause the vessel to be operated in a way the lock-keeper considers appropriate.\n> \n> > (3) When exercising a power under this section in relation to a vessel, the lock-keeper may—\n> > \n> > > (a) unfasten or cut a rope or chain by which the vessel is moored or secured, and\n> > \n> > > (b) obtain assistance the lock-keeper considers necessary for the purpose of exercising the power.\n> \n> > (4) In this section—\n> > \n> > operate includes the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) moor,\n> > \n> > > (b) place,\n> > \n> > > (c) remove,\n> > \n> > > (d) unmoor.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Order of precedence of vessels passing through lock—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 6 Order of precedence of vessels passing through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n6 Order of precedence of vessels passing through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), if 2 or more vessels are travelling in the same direction and the masters of the vessels wish to navigate the vessels through the same lock, the order of precedence for the passage of the vessels through the lock is the order in which the vessels arrive at the lock.\n> \n> > (2) Despite subsection (1), the lock-keeper at the lock may give precedence to a commercial passenger vessel operating on an established timetable.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Times for passage of vessels through locks—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 7 Times for passage of vessels through locks—the Act, s 400\n\n7 Times for passage of vessels through locks—the Act, s 400\n\n> For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the relevant Authority that operates a lock may set the times for passage through the lock, whether upstream, downstream or both, by publishing the times—\n> \n> > (a) in a newspaper that circulates in the area in which the lock is located, or\n> \n> > (b) on the website of the relevant Authority.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Signals for entering and leaving locks","content":"# Part 3 Signals for entering and leaving locks\n\nPart 3 Signals for entering and leaving locks","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Signals if vessel is approaching lock—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 8 Signals if vessel is approaching lock—the Act, s 400\n\n8 Signals if vessel is approaching lock—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the master of a vessel who intends to navigate the vessel through a lock must give the lock-keeper at the lock a signal of that intention.\n> \n> > (2) The master must give the signal to the lock-keeper when the vessel is less than 600m but not less than 400m from the lock.\n> \n> > (3) The signal must be given—\n> > \n> > > (a) for a vessel that has a whistle or siren—by sounding 3 prolonged blasts, each lasting approximately 4–6 seconds, of the vessel’s whistle or siren, or\n> > \n> > > (b) for a vessel that does not have a whistle or siren—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) if the signal is given during the day—by waving a flag or flashing a light, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) if the signal is given at night—by flashing a light.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.\n> \n> > (4) On receiving a signal under subsection (1), the lock-keeper must acknowledge the signal—\n> > \n> > > (a) if the signal is received during the day—by showing a red flag or displaying a red flashing light, flashing at the rate of approximately 60 flashes per minute, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if the signal is received at night—by displaying a red flashing light, flashing at the rate of approximately 60 flashes per minute.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Lock-keeper’s signal—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 9 Lock-keeper’s signal—the Act, s 400\n\n9 Lock-keeper’s signal—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the lock-keeper at the lock must give a signal to the master of a vessel that it is appropriate for the vessel to proceed through the lock—\n> > \n> > > (a) if the signal is given during the day—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) by showing a green flag, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) by displaying a green light, either fixed or flashing at the rate of approximately 60 flashes per minute, or\n> > \n> > > (b) if the signal is given at night—by displaying a green light, either fixed or flashing at the rate of approximately 60 flashes per minute.\n> \n> > (2) The master of a vessel must ensure the vessel does not approach within 150m of a lock unless the lock-keeper at the lock has given a signal to proceed under subsection (1).\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Signal if vessel is about to proceed through lock—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 10 Signal if vessel is about to proceed through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n10 Signal if vessel is about to proceed through lock—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), this section applies to the master of a vessel who has received a signal under section 9 that it is appropriate for the vessel to proceed through a lock.\n> \n> > (2) Before proceeding into the lock, the master must clearly signal to other vessels near the lock that the vessel is about to proceed into the lock.\n> \n> > (3) The signal must be given—\n> > \n> > > (a) for a vessel that has a whistle or siren—by sounding 1 prolonged blast, lasting approximately 4–6 seconds, and then a short blast, lasting approximately 1 second, of the vessel’s whistle or siren, or\n> > \n> > > (b) for a vessel that does not have a whistle or siren—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) if the signal is given during the day—by waving a flag or flashing a light, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) if the signal is given at night—by flashing a light.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Vessel not to leave lock without lock-keeper’s permission—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 11 Vessel not to leave lock without lock-keeper’s permission—the Act, s 400\n\n11 Vessel not to leave lock without lock-keeper’s permission—the Act, s 400\n\n> For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the master of a vessel that has entered a lock must ensure the vessel does not leave the lock until the lock-keeper at the lock has given permission for the vessel to do so.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Other signals","content":"# Part 4 Other signals\n\nPart 4 Other signals","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Signal if only the lock at weir or barrage is available—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 12 Signal if only the lock at weir or barrage is available—the Act, s 400\n\n12 Signal if only the lock at weir or barrage is available—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the following markers indicate that the only means of passage at a weir or barrage for river traffic is the lock—\n> > \n> > > (a) during the day—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) a beacon with a green triangular topmark located at each end of the lock on the starboard side of the river when facing upstream, and\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) a beacon with a red square topmark located at each end of the lock on the port side of the river when facing upstream,\n> > \n> > > (b) at night—a red light at each of the 4 extremities of the lock walls.\n> \n> > (2) At the weir at Mildura only, the following additional markers indicate the starboard side of the navigable pass at the weir when facing upstream—\n> > \n> > > (a) during the day—a black cone with the apex pointing upwards, between 2 black balls, all fixed in a vertical line,\n> > \n> > > (b) at night—a green light between 2 red lights, all fixed in a vertical line.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> Starboard side means the right hand side and port side means the left hand side.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Signal if navigable pass at weir is open for river traffic—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 13 Signal if navigable pass at weir is open for river traffic—the Act, s 400\n\n13 Signal if navigable pass at weir is open for river traffic—the Act, s 400\n\n> For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the following markers indicate that the navigable pass at a weir is open for the passage of river traffic—\n> \n> > (a) during the day—\n> > \n> > > (i) a green triangular shape on the starboard side of the pass when facing upstream, and\n> > \n> > > (ii) a red square shape on the port side of the pass when facing upstream,\n> \n> > (b) at night—\n> > \n> > > (i) a green light on the starboard side of the pass when facing upstream, and\n> > \n> > > (ii) a red light on the port side of the pass when facing upstream.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> Starboard side means the right hand side and port side means the left hand side.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"Part 5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 5 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 5 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Lock-keeper may refuse to allow vessel to enter lock—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 14 Lock-keeper may refuse to allow vessel to enter lock—the Act, s 400\n\n14 Lock-keeper may refuse to allow vessel to enter lock—the Act, s 400\n\n> For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), the lock-keeper at a lock may refuse permission for a vessel to enter the lock if—\n> \n> > (a) the master of the vessel fails to give the signal under section 8, or\n> \n> > (b) the draught of the vessel does not allow a clearance of at least 0.15m above the floor of the lock, or\n> \n> > (c) the lock-keeper is not satisfied the vessel has sufficient crew, and adequate fenders and other equipment, to ensure the vessel does not damage the lock when passing through the lock, or\n> \n> > (d) there is anything projecting from either side of the vessel that may damage the lock, or\n> \n> > (e) any of the following works are in progress at the lock or a weir adjacent to the lock—\n> > \n> > > (i) demolition,\n> > \n> > > (ii) construction,\n> > \n> > > (iii) reconstruction,\n> > \n> > > (iv) repairs,\n> > \n> > > (v) maintenance.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Restriction on approaching weir if navigable pass closed—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 15 Restriction on approaching weir if navigable pass closed—the Act, s 400\n\n15 Restriction on approaching weir if navigable pass closed—the Act, s 400\n\n> For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), when the navigable pass at a weir is closed, the master of a vessel must ensure the vessel does not approach within 150m of the weir except for the purpose of passing through the lock located at the weir.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Offences with respect to river works—the Act, s 400","content":"#### 16 Offences with respect to river works—the Act, s 400\n\n16 Offences with respect to river works—the Act, s 400\n\n> > (1) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(i), a person must not—\n> > \n> > > (a) without the oral or written permission of an authorised officer, board or disembark from a vessel that is in a lock, or\n> > \n> > > (b) attempt to navigate a vessel into or through a lock after the lock-keeper at the lock has refused permission for the vessel to enter the lock.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.\n> \n> > (2) For the Act, section 400(1)(f)(ii), a person must not—\n> > \n> > > (a) without the oral or written permission of an authorised officer, enter onto a river work unless the person is an employee of a relevant Authority and is exercising the person’s functions as an employee, or\n> > \n> > > (b) fail to leave a river work immediately after being asked to do so by an authorised officer, or\n> > \n> > > (c) do anything that causes ballast, rock, stone or other matter to fall—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) into a lock, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) onto the walls of a lock, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) into a place where it is likely to fall or be carried into a lock, or\n> > \n> > > (d) without the oral or written permission of an authorised officer, interfere with a valve, a gate, machinery or another thing associated with a river work, or\n> > \n> > > (e) ride, drive, stand or park a vehicle on a river work, except—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) on a formed roadway or defined vehicular track open to the public, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) in accordance with the written permission of a relevant Authority or the oral or written permission of an authorised officer, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) at the direction of an authorised officer, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) in accordance with a sign erected by or under the authority of a relevant Authority, or\n> > \n> > > (f) fish or swim in the Murray River within 150m of a river work.\n> > \n> > Maximum penalty—10 penalty units.\n> \n> > (3) For subsection (2)(e)(i), a formed roadway or defined vehicular track is taken to be open to the public unless—\n> > \n> > > (a) a barrier or gate is erected across the roadway or track, or\n> > \n> > > (b) a sign is erected on or adjacent to the roadway or track indicating entry is prohibited, or\n> > \n> > > (c) an authorised officer informs the person the roadway or track is closed to the public.\n> \n> > (4) In this section—\n> > \n> > authorised officer means—\n> > \n> > > (a) a lock-keeper, or\n> > \n> > > (b) a member of staff of a relevant Authority, or\n> > \n> > > (c) a person appointed by a relevant Authority, in writing, to exercise the functions of an authorised officer under this section, or\n> > \n> > > (d) a police officer of—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) the Commonwealth, or\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) New South Wales, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) Victoria, or\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) South Australia.\n> > \n> > river work means a work to which this regulation applies, and includes a building, work, structure, machinery or appliance forming part of, or used in connection with, the work.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal and savings","content":"#### 17 Repeal and savings\n\n17 Repeal and savings\n\n> > (1) The [Water Management (River Murray Traffic) Regulation 2016](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2016-0312) is repealed.\n> \n> > (2) An act, matter or thing that, immediately before the repeal of the [Water Management (River Murray Traffic) Regulation 2016](/view/html/repealed/current/sl-2016-0312), had effect under that regulation continues to have effect under this regulation.","sortOrder":21}],"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"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument repeals and replaces the 2016 regulation (s17) but, on its face, applies to a specified list of works and reproduces operational powers under the Water Management Act (notably s400). The text supplied does not identify any explicit expansion or narrowing of scope relative to the prior instrument."},"complexity_factors":["Defined terms and cross‑references (definitions in s3; frequent references to the Water Management Act 2000)","Multiple relevant Authorities with shared jurisdiction (s3, application in s4)","Operational discretion vested in lock‑keepers and authorised officers (powers to direct masters, refuse entry, order vessel movement; ss5,14,16)","Detailed procedural and signalling requirements with distances and timings (ss8–10,15)","Penalties and enforcement across multiple provisions (multiple 10 penalty unit maxima: ss5,8,10,11,15,16)","Technical safety conditions (draught clearance, crew, fenders) that affect vessel eligibility to pass (s14(b)–(c))","Publication requirement for passage times (s7) and physical marking/signage rules for navigable passes (ss12–13)","Access and conduct rules for river works, including vehicle use and prohibitions on fishing/swimming nearby (s16)","Repeal and savings provision replacing a prior regulation (s17) without further detail on transitional implementation"],"plain_english_summary":"Sets mandatory rules for vessel movement at specified Murray River works (locks, weirs, dams). Masters must follow lock-keeper directions, use prescribed signals, and wait for permission; lock‑keepers and the listed water Authorities may set passage times, give or refuse permission, and take steps (including moving unattended vessels) to manage navigation. The regulation creates enforceable duties and penalties for non‑compliance and places operational discretion with lock‑keepers and relevant Authorities."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward re-enactment of the 2016 regulation with the same scope. The regulation maintains its original purpose of governing vessel traffic at Murray River locks and weirs. The savings clause (section 17(2)) explicitly preserves existing arrangements, indicating no expansion of scope. The works covered (Hume Dam, Locks 7-10 and 15, Yarrawonga Weir, etc.) remain identical to the previous version."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with 5 parts covering preliminary matters, lock control, signals, other signals, and miscellaneous provisions","Only 9 defined terms in the interpretation section (section 3), with most being intuitive (vessel, master, lock)","Minimal cross-referencing — primarily references back to the parent Water Management Act 2000, section 400, which provides the legal authority","Clear conditional logic with simple 'if-then' structures rather than nested exceptions","Specific but uncomplicated technical requirements (signal timings, distances in metres, light flash rates)","Single savings provision (section 17) ensuring continuity from the repealed 2016 regulation","No delegated legislation or regulation-making powers within the instrument itself"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets the rules for boats and other vessels using the locks and weirs on the Murray River between New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Anyone operating a boat, houseboat, or other vessel on the Murray River\n- Lock-keepers (the officials who operate the locks)\n- Water authorities in NSW, Victoria and South Australia\n\n**What it does:**\n\n**Lock rules:**\n- Vessel masters (the people in charge of boats) must follow the lock-keeper's directions when passing through a lock\n- Lock-keepers can take control of a vessel if no one on board can follow directions, including cutting ropes if necessary\n- Vessels generally pass through locks in the order they arrive, though commercial passenger boats on schedules can get priority\n- Water authorities can set operating hours for locks and must publish these in local newspapers or on their websites\n\n**Signalling system:**\n- Masters must signal their intention to use a lock when 400–600 metres away, using whistle blasts (three long blasts), flags, or lights\n- Lock-keepers respond with red lights or flags to acknowledge, then green lights or flags when it's safe to proceed\n- Masters must signal again before entering the lock (one long blast plus one short blast)\n- Vessels cannot leave a lock until the lock-keeper gives permission\n\n**Navigation markers:**\n- Special markers show when only the lock is available (green triangles on the right, red squares on the left when facing upstream)\n- Different markers show when the navigable pass (a lowered section of the weir for high water) is open\n- At Mildura Weir, there are additional specific markers\n\n**Safety and conduct rules:**\n- Lock-keepers can refuse entry if vessels lack proper crew, equipment, or clearance; if the master didn't signal properly; or if maintenance work is happening\n- Vessels cannot approach within 150 metres of a weir when the navigable pass is closed, except to use the lock\n- People cannot board or leave vessels while in a lock without permission\n- People cannot enter river works areas without permission, interfere with equipment, drive vehicles on works (except on public roads), or fish or swim within 150 metres of river works\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThe Murray River is a major waterway crossing three states. These rules prevent accidents at locks and weirs, protect expensive infrastructure from damage, ensure fair access for all river users, and keep people safe around heavy machinery and moving water."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient content was provided to assess whether the regulation's scope changed from its original intent. Only administrative metadata was included — the actual operative provisions of the regulation were absent from the supplied text."},"complexity_factors":["Actual regulatory content was not provided — only metadata and website navigation elements were included, making substantive analysis impossible","The Murray River sits on the NSW-Victoria border, which can introduce jurisdictional complexity not assessable from the text provided","The regulation operates under the Water Management Act, which is itself a complex piece of legislation, though the regulation's own complexity cannot be assessed without its content","Score is kept low because no substantive provisions were available to analyse"],"plain_english_summary":"The Water Management (Murray River Traffic) Regulation 2023 is an NSW regulation governing use of the Murray River by boats and other watercraft. It affects recreational and commercial river users by setting traffic and safety rules (specific provisions were not provided). It commenced 25 August 2023 and is due to be automatically repealed on 1 September 2028, with potential interstate implications because the Murray River borders Victoria."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023","history":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/water-management-murray-river-traffic-regulation-2023/documents"}}