AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY

Schedule 3A to the Telecommunications Act 1997

Clause 32A

Proposal to vary the Southern Sydney Protection Zone for submarine cables

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is proposing to vary the Southern Sydney Protection Zone over 2 submarine cables landing at Tamarama and Clovelly beaches, NSW. The Southern Sydney Protection Zone is established by the Submarine Cable (Southern Sydney Protection Zone) Declaration 2007, made by the ACMA under Schedule 3A to the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Perch Infrastructure is proposing to install the Tabua cable in Australian waters by 2026, linking Australia to Fiji and the US. This cable is proposed to land outside the existing boundaries of the Southern Sydney Protection Zone at Maroubra Beach.

The ACMA proposes to move the southern-most boundary of the protection zone approximately 4 km south to extend protections over the proposed Tabua submarine cable. Existing restrictions and prohibitions will be carried over.

Existing protection zone details

The area between the Australia Japan Cable off Tamarama Beach and the Southern Cross Cable off Clovelly Beach, and within 1 nautical mile (1,852 metres) from the outside edge of these cables. It starts at the low-water mark and finishes at a water depth of 2,000 metres (approximately 55 km offshore).

Proposed varied protection zone details

The area between the Australia Japan Cable off Tamarama Beach and the proposed Tabua cable off Maroubra Beach, and within 1 nautical mile (1,852 metres) from the outside edge of these cables. It will continue to start at the low-water mark and finish at a water depth of 2,000 metres (between approximately 55 to 60 km offshore).

We welcome feedback by Monday 16 June 2025.

More information

View the proposal at acma.gov.au/have-your-say

Request a copy of the proposal by emailing subcablesenquiries@acma.gov.au, or calling 1300 850 115.