Tuesday, 3 February 2026

 Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (20:56): (2252) My adjournment matter tonight is for the Minister for Environment and Minister for Outdoor Recreation. A constituent has contacted my office about jetski activity right near St Kilda Pier throughout December 2025. They described jetskis operating at high speed close to the pier, and most concerningly, people riding the jetskis deliberately directing spray at pedestrians. They have video footage of riders repeatedly soaking members of the public, including families, elderly people and visitors who had no expectation of being targeted like this. This is not harmless recreation, this is annoying and intimidating behaviour, and it presents a clear safety risk. St Kilda Pier is a major public destination that has been recently redeveloped to be a safe, family-friendly space, and we know it is used by pedestrians, swimmers and people visiting the beloved penguin colony, particularly during the breeding and chick season. The idea that high-powered craft are able to hoon near the pier, returning after authorities leave and escalating behaviour, is really alarming. Importantly, this is not just one complaint – just before Christmas the City of Port Phillip asked the minister for decisive action, including permanent exclusion zones within 200 metres around St Kilda Pier and nearby beaches and increased patrols and enforcement.

The action I seek from the minister is to introduce a permanent personal watercraft exclusion zone around St Kilda Pier and other high-risk, high-use areas identified by council, at least 200 metres, consistent with the council’s request and public safety at our crowded urban beaches. It would also help to boost active enforcement, especially at peak times, with meaningful consequences for repeated breaches, including the use of existing seizure and impoundment powers where appropriate. And we need to clarify responsibilities and reporting pathways so that residents and people experiencing inappropriate behaviour are not bounced around between agencies. It would be really helpful to provide clear public signage on the shore and near the water so the rules are unmistakeable. Minister, the risks from this behaviour are foreseeable and they are ongoing, but they are preventable. Please do not wait for serious injury or fatality before the government acts on this matter.