Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au F2007L02217 In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007

 

made under subclause 4 (1) of Schedule 3A of the

Telecommunications Act 1997

 

Compilation No.  1

Compilation date:   29 October 2025

Includes amendments: F2025L01279

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by the Australian Communications and Media Authority, Melbourne

 


About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 29 October 2025 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

Contents

1 Name of Declaration................................................1

3 Definitions........................................................1

3A References.......................................................3

4 Definition of Line...................................................4

5 Application of Declaration.............................................4

6 Area of the Southern Sydney Protection Zone..............................4

7 Nominal Location of Submarine Cables in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone.....5

8 Prohibited Activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone...................7

9 Restricted Activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone...................8

Endnotes............................................................16

 

 

1 Name of Declaration

  This Declaration is the Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007.

3 Definitions

  In this Declaration:

abalone spatula means a device that:

 (a) has a blade that is broad, flat and flexible; and

 (b) is used to pry abalone from the seabed.

ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Act means the Telecommunications Act 1997.

anchor chain assembly means a length of chain that connects an anchor with an anchor line.

anchor line means a rope or chain used to suspend an anchor from a ship.

Australia has the same meaning as in clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Australian waters has the meaning given by clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

bar means the unit of measurement for ultrasonic pressure waves.

benthos means animals or plants that:

 (a) are sedentary; and

 (b) live on the seabed.

branching unit means any part of a submarine cable that allows the cable to branch.

breaking strain, in relation to an object, means the force required for an object to break.

cable carrier, in relation to a submarine cable that is within the Southern Sydney Protection Zone, means:

 (a) if a submarine cable is a network unit — the carrier that owns or jointly owns the cable, or is named in a nominated carrier declaration that is in force in relation to the cable; or

 (b) if a submarine cable is not a network unit and was installed after the commencement of Schedule 3A of the Act a carrier that held a protection zone installation permit under Schedule 3A to install the cable in the protection zone; or

 (c) in any other case — the carrier that owns, or jointly owns, a network unit that is immediately connected to the cable, or is named in a nominated carrier declaration in force in relation to that network unit.

circle type hook means a circular fishing hook where the barb of the hook faces its shaft.

civil engineering work includes:

 (a) planning, design, construction, maintenance, management and demolition of a fixed structure or public works; and

 (b) depositing sand in a place.

conduct has the meaning given by clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development means the Department as defined in section 4 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 (NSW), as in force from time to time. 

dropline means a verticallyset weighted fishing line with 6 or more hooks that is:

 (a) used or intended to be used in water; and

 (b) kept vertical by a float.

electrooptic devices means those electronic parts of a submarine cable that manage or retransmit communications along a line.

equaliser means submerged electrooptic devices that are installed at intervals along a submarine cable to boost signal transmission.

explosive device does not include:

 (a) firearms of less than 20 millimetre calibre; or

 (b) firearms used or intended to be used for life saving or distress signalling purposes.

fish aggregating device means a structure moored to the seabed with the primary function of attracting fish for capture.

grapnel means a grabbing device used, or intended to be used, to grab an item on the seabed.

grid lines means the local pattern used to map the seabed with seismic survey equipment.

installation has the same meaning as in clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Jhook means a fishing hook where the barb of the hook is parallel to the shaft.

longline means a fishing line with 6 or more hooks lying horizontally along or near the seabed.

low water mark means the height of the lowest ebb tide.

mainline means the principal fishing line used or intended to be used as, or as part of, a dropline, longline, setline or trotline.

midwater trawl means trawl gear that is designed and rigged to work in midwater, including surface water.

network unit has the meaning given by Division 2 of Part 2 of the Act.

New South Wales means the State of New South Wales.

nominal location means the nominal location of the Australian Japan Cable or Southern Cross Cable specified in section 7 of this Declaration.

ocean disposal point includes a point designated or declared by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory government to be a point where the disposal or abandonment of material is permitted (whether or not particular material is specified).

pressure waves means controlled pulses of sound generated by seismic survey equipment.

protection zone installation permit has the meaning given by clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

repeater means a device used, or intended to be used, to enhance the signal along a submarine cable or part of a submarine cable.

scuttle, in relation to a ship, means to deliberately sink a ship.

seismic survey means any method of exploration for resources that:

 (a) involves the transmission of pressure waves into the seabed; and

 (b) requires the measurement of vibrations that occur because of those pressure waves.

setline means a fishing line that has multiple snoods attached to a horizontal demersalset mainline.

ship has the meaning given by clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

shot means the weight attached to the end of a shotline.

shotline means a weighted line that may be used to moor a ship.

sliding ring anchor means an anchor that has an anchor line fitted to a ring that is designed to slide freely along the shank of the anchor.

Southern Sydney Protection Zone means the protection zone that is declared by this Declaration.

snood means any hook and fishing line that is connected, whether directly or indirectly and whether permanently or temporarily, to a mainline.

spoil ground means an area where specified material may be disposed and includes an area designated or declared by the Commonwealth or a State or Territory government to be an area where the disposal or abandonment of specific material is permitted.

submarine cable has the meaning given by clause 2 of Schedule 3A to the Act.

submerged plant items, in relation to a submarine cable that is in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone, means electronic components of a submarine cable system that serve to manage, or intended to manage, the signal at intervals along the cable’s route.

Example

Repeaters, equalisers and branching units are all submerged plant items.

trace means any fishing line used to attach a hook to a mainline.

trap rope means any rope used to suspend a pot or trap from a ship.

trip anchor means an anchor that is:

 (a) fitted with lugs at both ends of the shank; and

 (b) an anchor line or rope fitted securely to the front lug (located near the anchor prongs) and then tethered to the rear lug via a weak or ‘sacrificial’ link.

trip release mechanism, in relation to an anchor, means a device or system that, when fitted to an anchor, allows the anchor to be removed backwards from the seabed.

trotline means 2 or more droplines that are connected by horizontal midwater bars.

Note   Other terms in this Declaration have the meaning given by the Act.

3A References

  In this Declaration, unless the contrary intention appears:

 (a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and

 (b) a reference to any other kind of instrument is a reference to that other instrument as in force from time to time.

Note 1    For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.

Note 2    All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.

Note 3    For paragraph (b), see section 589 of the Act.

4 Definition of line

  In this Declaration, line has its ordinary meaning when used in relation to:

 (a) fishing; or

 (b) fishing operations; or

 (c) a shot line; or

 (d) anchors.

Note   Line is defined in section 7 of the Act.

5 Application of Declaration

  This Declaration applies to the extent that it is consistent with Australia’s jurisdiction under international law.

6 Area of the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

 (1) For clause 9 of Schedule 3A to the Act the Southern Sydney Protection Zone consists of an area contained within and bounded by a notional line as follows:

 (a) the line commences at the mean low water mark of the coastline of New South Wales closest to 33° 53' 21.45" S 151° 17' 07.62" E (Item SSPZ01), and runs sequentially along the geodesic line connecting the points as described in table 1:

Table 1

Southern Sydney Protection Zone

Item

Latitude

Longitude

SSPZ02

33° 53' 36.65" S

151° 17' 23.32" E

SSPZ03

33° 54' 03.55" S

151° 18' 02.42" E

SSPZ04

33° 55' 56.45" S

151° 21' 39.72" E

SSPZ05

34° 04' 16.55" S

151° 31' 21.62" E

SSPZ06

34° 08' 01.05" S

151° 36' 14.92" E

SSPZ07

34° 15' 05.55" S

151° 46' 30.22" E

SSPZ08

34° 22' 06.45" S

151° 41' 36.22" E

SSPZ09

34° 23' 48.57" S

151° 40' 11.57" E

SSPZ10

34° 19' 41.75" S

151° 33' 20.10" E

SSPZ11

34° 17' 46.82" S

151° 31' 08.38" E

SSPZ12

34° 15' 49.30" S

151° 28' 48.52" E

SSPZ13

34° 12' 27.59" S

151° 24' 44.76" E

SSPZ14

34° 11' 23.24" S

151° 24' 02.75" E

SSPZ15

34° 05' 56.62" S

151° 22' 13.58" E

SSPZ16

34° 01' 18.52" S

151° 20' 15.78" E

SSPZ17

34° 00' 36.85" S

151° 20' 02.72" E

SSPZ18

33° 59' 47.77" S

151° 19' 43.33" E

SSPZ19

33° 59' 18.75" S

151° 19' 23.23" E

SSPZ20

33° 58' 46.33" S

151° 18' 51.96" E

SSPZ21

33° 58' 34.25" S

151° 18' 19.12" E

SSPZ22

33° 58' 15.03" S

151° 17' 05.58" E

SSPZ23

33° 58' 02.67" S

151° 16' 13.44" E

 (b) the line then runs along the geodesic line to the point on the mean lowwater mark of the coastline of New South Wales closest to the point 33° 57' 59.19" S 151° 15' 53.91" E (Item SSPZ24);

 (c) the line then runs generally northerly along the mean low-water mark to the point of commencement.

Note   All coordinates in this Declaration are provided in the Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020. Further information about Geocentric Datum of Australia 2020 can be obtained, free of charge, from the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping at www.icsm.gov.au.

7 Nominal location of submarine cables in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

 (1) For clause 8 of Schedule 3A to the Act, the nominal location for the Australian Japan Cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone is a course that joins the coordinates in table 3 by the shortest route.

Table 3 Australian Japan Cable

Point number

Latitude

Longitude

1

33° 54' 55.95" S

151° 17' 26.02" E

2

33° 54' 59.95" S

151° 17' 37.02" E

3

33° 57' 20.96" S

151° 21' 50.02" E

4

34° 04' 58.95" S

151° 30' 31.02" E

5

34° 08' 46.95" S

151° 35' 29.02" E

6

34° 14' 10.95" S

151° 43' 42.02" E

7

34° 15' 4.95" S

151° 44' 48.02" E

8

34° 15' 47.96" S

151° 45' 39.02" E

9

34° 29' 49.96" S

152° 19' 58.02" E

10

33° 49' 27.96" S

153° 1' 43.02" E

11

30° 20' 2.00" S

155° 16' 9.00" E

12

29° 10' 49.00" S

156° 20' 6.00" E

13

25° 30' 18.00" S

156° 39' 25.00" E

14

23° 58' 44.00" S

158° 03' 19.00" E

 (2) For clause 8 of Schedule 3A to the Act, the nominal location for the Tabua Cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone is a course that joins the coordinates in table 4 by the shortest route.

  Table 4 Tabua Cable

Point number

Latitude

Longitude

1

33° 56' 50.95" S

151° 15' 17.02" E

2

33° 56' 54.95" S

151° 15' 42.02" E

3

33° 57' 18.95" S

151° 17' 32.02" E

4

33° 57' 26.95" S

151° 17' 51.02" E

5

33° 57' 35.95" S

151° 18' 41.02" E

6

33° 57' 47.95" S

151° 19' 11.02" E

7

33° 58' 0.95" S

151° 19' 38.02" E

8

33° 58' 41.95" S

151° 20' 21.02" E

9

33° 59' 23.95" S

151° 20' 50.02" E

10

34° 4' 35.95" S

151° 22' 48.02" E

11

34° 5' 37.95" S

151° 23' 22.02" E

12

34° 8' 37.95" S

151° 24' 12.02" E

13

34° 10' 57.95" S

151° 25' 8.02" E

14

34° 11' 51.95" S

151° 25' 43.02" E

15

34° 17' 8.95" S

151° 32' 6.02" E

16

34° 17' 59.95" S

151° 32' 41.02" E

17

34° 18' 22.95" S

151° 33' 7.02" E

18

34° 18' 50.95" S

151° 34' 1.02" E

19

34° 21' 23.95" S

151° 38' 0.02" E

20

34° 24' 39.95" S

151° 43' 57.02" E

21

34° 30' 53.95" S

151° 50' 20.02" E

22

34° 53' 1.95" S

152° 28' 22.02" E

23

34° 59' 58.96" S

153° 29' 35.02" E

24

34° 31' 38.00" S

154° 25' 49.00" E

25

34° 17' 52.00" S

154° 22' 38.00" E

26

34° 9' 21.00" S

154° 28' 26.00" E

27

33° 56' 49.00" S

155° 2' 45.00" E

28

30° 30' 47.00" S

155° 49' 55.00" E

29

29° 52' 18.00" S

156° 48' 59.00" E

30

28° 57' 52.00" S

157° 15' 10.00" E

31

26° 44' 36.00" S

161° 22' 19.00" E

8 Prohibited activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

 (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), an activity mentioned in table 5 is prohibited in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone.

Table 5 Prohibited activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

Item

Prohibited activity

1

an activity mentioned in subparagraph 10 (4) (a) (i), (iv) or (viii) of Schedule 3A to the Act

2

the use of any of the following:

 (a) a midwater trawl;

 (b) a type of net, rope, chain or other object used in fishing operations that is capable of contacting the seabed;

 (c) demersal longline;

 (d) a Danish seine;

 (e) a Scottish seine

3

towing, operating or suspending from a ship an object used in an activity mentioned in item 1 or 2

4

scuttling or attempting to scuttle a ship

5

establishing, maintaining or using a spoil ground or other ocean disposal point

Note   For paragraph (c) in item 2 setlines and trotlines are examples of demersal longlines.

 (2) An activity described in item 1 of table 5 is not a prohibited activity for the purposes of this Declaration if the following criteria are met:

 (a) the activity involves the installation, management or removal of a fish aggregating device; 

 (b) the installation, management or removal takes place within a 100 metre radius of one of the points set out in table 5A; and

 (c) the activity is contracted or conducted by, or on behalf of, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Table 5A 

Point number

Latitude

Longitude

1

33° 59' 18.91" S

151° 20' 57.08" E

2

33° 59' 18.91" S

151° 20' 37.58" E

 

 (3) An activity described in paragraph 2 (b) of table 5 is not a prohibited activity for the purposes of this Declaration if the activity is:

 (a) carried out in the course of fishing operations; and

 (b) listed as a restricted activity in items 1 to 5 of table 6.

9 Restricted activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

 (1) An activity mentioned in an item in table 6 is restricted in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone, subject to an exception mentioned in the item.

Table 6 Restricted activities in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

Item

Activity

Restriction

1

the use of a net anchored to the seabed

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark

2

the use of a pot or trap

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless:

 (a) the pot or trap consists of:

 (i) a rectangular base or floor not exceeding 2 metres in length and 2 metres in width; or

 (ii) a circular base or floor not exceeding 2 metres in diameter; and

 (b) the trap rope has a breaking strain that does not exceed 850 kilograms and it is not composed of wire

3

the use of a demersal dropline

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless:

 (a) only circletype hooks are used; and

 (b) the demersal dropline has a breaking strain that does not exceed 850 kilograms; and

 (c) the demersal dropline does not use a mainline, snoods or traces made with wire

4

the use of a demersal fishing line containing Jhooks

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless the demersal fishing line has a breaking strain that does not exceed 50 kilograms

5

the use of a grapnel

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless it occurs in the course of any of the following:

 (a) exploring for or exploiting resources (other than marine species) in accordance with item 12;

 (b) installing, maintaining or removing an electricity cable, an oil or gas pipeline and any like cables or pipelines and any associated equipment in accordance with item 7;

 (c) constructing or removing a navigational aid in accordance with item 10 or 13;

 (d) constructing or removing an installation for the use of ships in accordance with item 9;

 (e) conducting civil engineering work in accordance with item 13;

 (f) conducting research that involves contact with the seabed in accordance with item 14

6

the towing, operating, or suspending from a ship of an object mentioned in items 1 to 5 of this table

the restriction specified in that item

7

installing an electricity cable, an oil or gas pipeline, any like cables or pipelines, and any associated equipment

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that does not damage or impede the efficient operation maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (d) the path across the Southern Sydney Protection Zone followed by the new cable or pipeline is minimised to the greatest extent practicable; and

 (e) the new cable, pipeline or equipment does not approach or cross a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone less than 500 metres from the cable’s submerged plant items of that submarine cable (as determined following consultation with each cable carrier)

8

maintaining or removing an electricity cable, an oil or gas pipeline, any like cables or pipelines, and any associated equipment

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

9

constructing or removing an installation for the use of ships

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

10

constructing navigational aids

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

11

harvesting the benthos

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless the activity is conducted by hand

12

exploring for or exploiting resources (other than marine species)

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (iii) the expected commencement date and duration of the activities to be undertaken; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (d) if a planned seismic survey would result in pressure waves of 2.0 bar or more arriving at the seabed in the location of any electrooptic devices associated with a submarine cable, the entity conducting the seismic survey company adjusts the grid lines in order to reduce the pressure seen by the electrooptic devices to less than 2.0 bar; and

 (e) the activity, to the extent that it relates to exploiting resources, is not likely to involve physical contact with the seabed (other than in the installation of cables or pipelines in accordance with item 7)

13

removing a navigational aid or conducting civil engineering work

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

14

conducting research that involves contact with the seabed

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless:

 (a) the entity responsible for the activity has, not later than 21 days before the activity, provided each cable carrier with:

 (i) the particulars of the activity to be undertaken; and

 (ii) the location of the activity; and

 (b) the entity responsible for the activity has:

 (i) complied with any reasonable written request for information from a cable carrier within 7 days of receiving the request; and

 (ii) considered and responded to any reasonable representations made to it by a cable carrier in relation to the likelihood of damage, or an impediment, to the efficient operation, maintenance or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone; and

 (c) the activity occurs in a manner that is not likely to damage or impede the efficient operation, maintenance, or repair of a submarine cable in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

15

the use of an explosive or explosive device

the activity must not occur unless:

 (a) the activity occurs in the course of exploring for or exploiting resources (other than marine species) in accordance with item 12; or

 (b) the activity occurs in the course of constructing or removing a navigational aid, an installation for the use of ships, or conducting civil engineering work in accordance with item 9, 10 or 13; or

 (c) the activity occurs in the course of an exercise conducted by or with the Australian Defence Force within a declared Firing Practice Area

16

lowering, raising or suspending a shotline from a ship

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless:

 (a) the ship is operating in waters less than 100 metres deep; and

 (b) the shot does not weigh more than 20 kilograms; and

 (c) the shotline has a maximum breaking strain that does not exceed 850 kilograms

17

lowering, raising or suspending an anchor from a ship

the activity must not occur in waters more than 500 metres from the lowwater mark unless:

 (a) the ship is operating in waters less than 100 metres deep, and

 (i) the ship’s anchor does not weigh more than 20 kilograms and is fitted with a trip release mechanism; and

 (ii) the anchor line has a maximum breaking strain that does not exceed 850 kilograms at the point of attachment to the anchor or anchor chain assembly; or

 (b) the anchor does not weigh more than 30 kilograms and the ship is anchored in an area bounded by the coordinates described in table 7

Note 1   Items 1 to 6 and 11 to 17 of table 6 relate to paragraph 11 (3) (g) of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Note 2   Items 7 and 8 of table 6 relate to paragraph 11 (3) (d) of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Note 3   Item 9 of table 6 relates to paragraph 11 (3) (e) of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Note 4   Item 10 of table 6 relates to paragraph 11 (3) (f) of Schedule 3A to the Act.

Example 1

In relation to item 1 of table 6 a demersal gillnet and a beach safety meshing net are nets that are anchored to the seabed.

Example 2

In relation to item 11 of table 6 harvesting the benthos by hand includes the use of an abalone spatula.

Example 3

In relation to item 12 of table 6 repeaters, equalisers and branching units are electrooptic devices.

Example 4

In relation to item 17 of table 6 a sliding ring anchor and a trip release anchor are anchors fitted with a trip release mechanism.

 (2) Table 7 sets out an area in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone for the purposes of the exception to the restriction in paragraph (b) in item 17 in table 6.

Table 7 Coordinates for an area in the Southern Sydney Protection Zone

Point number

Latitude

Longitude

1

33° 58' 5.96" S

151° 21' 18.02" E

2

33° 58' 5.96" S

151° 21' 54.02" E

3

33° 59' 8.96" S

151° 21' 54.02" E

4

33° 59' 8.96" S

151° 21' 18.02" E

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

orig = original

am = amended

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

amdt = amendment

/subsubparagraph(s)

c = clause(s)

pres = present

C[x] = Compilation No. x

prev = previous

Ch = Chapter(s)

(prev…) = previously

def = definition(s)

Pt = Part(s)

Dict = Dictionary

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

reloc = relocated

Div = Division(s)

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

rep = repealed

effect

rs = repealed and substituted

F = Federal Register of Legislation

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

gaz = gazette

Sch = Schedule(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

o = order(s)

commenced or to be commenced

Ord = Ordinance

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007

18 July 2007
(see F2007L02217)

1 October 2007

 

Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration Variation 2025 (No. 1)

28 October 2025
(see F2025L01279)

29 October 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s.2.....................

Rep. LA 48D

s.3.....................

am. F2025L01279

s.3A....................

ad. F2025L01279

s.6.....................

rs. F2025L01279

s.7 (Table 3)...............

rs. F2025L01279

s.7(2)...................

rs. F2025L01279

s.7 (Table 4)...............

rs. F2025L01279

s.8.....................

rs. F2025L01279

s.9 (Example 1 under Table 6)...

am. F2025L01279

s.9 (Table 7)...............

rs. F2025L01279

 

 

 

 

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.