This is what Bayside Council are saying.
If you consider a visit to the beach essential for your daily exercise, you are able to use the foreshore for recreational exercise (surf, swim, bike ride, walk, run, etc.) but congregating or laying on the beach is not permitted. Dog beaches remain open and normal dog walking restrictions apply.
So I would say yes you can but clearly you must strickty observe Social distancing, no talking s..t will the crew.
That is how I read the notice But Dan Andrews made a statement about no boating , fishing, golf .........allowed. Basic exercise only is allowed.Can't see how sailing can't meet social distancing and if you aren't leaving your postcode why it should be a issue.
But the fines are steep if you are wrong.
Decent turnout at Green Point today, we kept sensible distances onshore, no hassles from the Hug Nazis .... so far ....
At Green Point today, we had two visits by the parking officers and one visit from a beach inspector. The parking officers seemed to concentrate on parking infringements.The inspector checked the people in the car park, then went down onto the path from the point to the toilets. At the toilets, he climbed the stairs then walked to the southern carpark. I didn't see him chastise any one.
There were very few people on the beach proper and they were singles only, just walking.
MP shire has changed there blanket rule of no activity on their beaches.
Exercise walking, swimming and surfing are OK as long as social distancing is followed.
Saw sense at last.
^^ .... its the doldrums season.... as I stated in the QLD forum asking the same question... The enforcement agencies have been given discretionary powers, which means they can fine you even if you are technically-in-the-right. ** This is a world-pandemic... take a chill pill for few months.
** It will be interesting to see if/how/when these are removed, once the official-crisis is over... to paraphrase John Acton,"power corrupts absolutely"
These poor enforcement people don't have the "luxury" (I use the word cautiously) of saying "my work's cancelled I'll stay at home, call the bank and claim the payment" therefore as such it might be giving them a break and reduce their workload by staying off the beach for a couple of weeks. Not to mention the poor ambos, coppers etc who are trying to stay in front before the tsunami hits.
Besides, bayside windsurfing is a very visible activity and having people sailing up and down takes away from the impact of "everyone stay at home". Could be perceived by some as the privileged few carrying on as normal whilst many are really having a bad time right now.
So there may be better things to do for a couple of months, like phone an elderly friend or neighbour, tidy the shed, do some chinups, troll the forum, listen to Bach.
I could be wrongheaded here - but I think discretion is definitely the better part of valour in this.
Pasted from link contents above. (Bold highlighting mine):
Mornington Peninsula Shire - Beach Closure UpdatePublished on 02 April 2020 the past week, the Mornington Peninsula Shire has continued to monitor beach activity following the beach closure announcement on Saturday 28 March. This decision was undertaken following a directive from the Victorian Government and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) for the Council to do so in an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
After assessing beach activity and leading discussions on closure restrictions with DELWP, Parks Victoria and individual Committees of Management, as well as other bay-side municipalities, the Shire has been able to achieve a broad alignment of our beach closure restrictions with those managed by other parties to avoid public confusion and establish a consistent approach.
While our beaches remain closed to restrict gatherings, people will be able to access Mornington Peninsula Shire managed beaches: As a thoroughfare For exercise - eg walking, running, swimming, surfing For dog walking (on beaches that allow this activity) Social distancing and mass gathering rules still apply.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Sam Hearn said this adjustment has been made to provide a consistent approach to beach closure restrictions in our municipality.
"The Victorian Government's 'Stay at Home' message still applies for the safety of our whole community and beach access should be kept short and for exercise purposes only," he said.
"While we recognise that our beaches need to be an asset supporting our physical and mental health over this time, I must stress that curbing the spread of Coronavirus remains a key focus and the message to residents remains the same, please don't congregate on our beaches."
Regular surveillance of the beaches by Victoria Police will be undertaken to ensure people don't flout the gathering and social distancing rules.
Boat ramps remain closed for all non-essential activities such as recreational boating.
The Shire is monitoring the situation every day and will continue to seek advice from the State Government.
Seems that we are now barred from watersports completely in Victoria, but not in other States .... yet run, swim, cycle, walk all ok .... go figure ...
Anyone have the latest "rules"?
In The Age this morning we're being lumped into the Boating category. From the Vic Government's Better Boating website:
betterboating.vic.gov.au/news/covid19-boatramp-closures/
"The Premier has described exercise as 'a walk round the block or a bike ride to stretch your legs and get some fresh air'. Permitted exercise does not include recreational boating or fishing.
Recreational boating includes all forms of human powered boating, including canoeing, kayaking, surf skiing, stand up paddle boarding and rowing, all forms of powered boating including jet skiing, and all forms of wind powered boating includes yachting, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Anyone who chooses to head out on the water is putting themselves and others at risk."
In The Age this morning we're being lumped into the Boating category. From the Vic Government's Better Boating website:
betterboating.vic.gov.au/news/covid19-boatramp-closures/
"The Premier has described exercise as 'a walk round the block or a bike ride to stretch your legs and get some fresh air'. Permitted exercise does not include recreational boating or fishing.
Recreational boating includes all forms of human powered boating, including canoeing, kayaking, surf skiing, stand up paddle boarding and rowing, all forms of powered boating including jet skiing, and all forms of wind powered boating includes yachting, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Anyone who chooses to head out on the water is putting themselves and others at risk."
Dumb rules !! I can prone surf a SUP without a paddle but if I use a paddle it's banned and if I put a sail on it it's also banned. And this is advice from the health department to stop the virus from spreading. Are we really this stupid???.
Stop people moving about !!! My 10 min drive puts no one at risk and neither does my paddle or sail
In The Age this morning we're being lumped into the Boating category. From the Vic Government's Better Boating website:
betterboating.vic.gov.au/news/covid19-boatramp-closures/
"The Premier has described exercise as 'a walk round the block or a bike ride to stretch your legs and get some fresh air'. Permitted exercise does not include recreational boating or fishing.
Recreational boating includes all forms of human powered boating, including canoeing, kayaking, surf skiing, stand up paddle boarding and rowing, all forms of powered boating including jet skiing, and all forms of wind powered boating includes yachting, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Anyone who chooses to head out on the water is putting themselves and others at risk."
I find it ironic as a sailor I can't go out even if I'm still in my postcode and nowhere near anyone else. As a surfer I'm not covered by the maritime rules as I'm not classed as a power vessel. But it depends on whether It is considered essential exercise.
But as a cyclist I'm free to go. Could travel through many different postcodes and far more likely to come into contact with others.I fail to see the consistency in the rules.
a mate tried kiting couple of days back in St.K and got a warning, police took his name and details and said if they get him again it's a fine, bummer. time to take up surfing with all the grommets down by green point
Actually Derwood I would say you are not allowed to travel too far from your home as a cyclist. You are bound by the road rules and currently motor vehicles are not permitted to far from home and are being fined for doing so why should cyclists be allowed to. If it is exercise stay to your postcode.
Mr Love that's my point I don't need to leave my postcode to sail. But if I ride in my postcode it covers 3 towns.