Victorian Government announces new restrictions for Melbourne’s hot zones

Latest restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.

Based on the advice of the Chief Health Officer, Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions have been reinstated across metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire from 11:59pm on Wednesday 8 July.

An overview of the restrictions is provided on the Department of Health and Human Services website, including a list of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) that are now under restrictions.

As a further precaution we are now also encouraging regional Victorians over the age of 18 to use a face mask when they leave the house but cannot physically distance.

Frequently asked questions

I live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, can I go recreational hunting?

Yes. However, you cannot leave metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire for sporting or recreational activities - recreational hunting is not a permitted reason to visit outside these areas. This is an important step to help us slow the spread of the virus.

You can hunt in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, where it is legal to do so and you should use common sense and consideration when it comes to these activities.

If you are hunting within metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, you can only hunt with either your household or with one other person. You must maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres between yourself and anyone you don’t live with and no equipment should be shared.

You can also only hunt in areas where it is legal to hunt.

I live outside these areas, can I go recreational hunting?

You can go hunting if you live outside metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, but you must ensure 1.5 metres can be maintained between yourself and others.

Currently, you can gather in a group of up to 10 people – but as always, we’re asking Victorians to use common sense when it comes to their activities.

As always though, Victorians are being asked to use common sense and consideration when it comes to their activities.

Different restrictions apply for those who live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire. If you live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, you cannot leave the area for recreational purposes. Recreational hunting is also not a permitted reason to visit metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire.

You can also only hunt in areas where it is legal to hunt.

Can I go hound hunting?

If you live in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire, hunting is not a permitted reason to go outside these areas.

If you live in regional Victoria (excluding Mitchell Shire), you are permitted to leave home to go hound hunting within regional Victoria (excluding Mitchell Shire) in groups of up to 10 people. You must not enter metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire to go hound hunting.

I live in metropolitan Melbourne and I have a holiday house in regional Victoria. Can I go hunting on my holiday property?

No. If your principal place of residence is in metropolitan Melbourne or Mitchell Shire then you must stay at that residence. You should not be travelling between your residences, nor to a holiday home, except to carry out essential maintenance or attend to animals.

Will Game Management Authority (GMA) compliance staff be active to ensure hunter compliance?

Yes. GMA will continue to monitor hunting across Victoria. Illegal hunting and irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.

The GMA works in partnership with Victoria Police, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), Department of Jobs, Precincts and Region (DJPR), Victorian Fisheries Authority and Parks Victoria.

Authorised Officers are patrolling around private properties and on public land, including game reserves, wetlands and state forests, to ensure compliance with game hunting laws.

GMA officers have the power to enter private property where there is hunting, to conduct inspections and ensure hunting is occurring in accordance with the hunting laws.

Will Game Licence fees be refunded or licences extended?

In recognition of the impact of the Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions on Victoria’s game hunters, anyone who had a valid Game Licence as of 30 June 2020 will receive an automatic 12 month extension, to get the full value of their licence fee.