2018-07-10 P&E Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 8 - Draft Noosa River Plan

   3.0                  M
                         anagement
                        themes
3.1
Population growth, recreational demand and commercial use of the river
The Noosa estuary is a focal point for recreation and visitor activities. During peak periods the lower
estuary is the busiest section of the river. There are approximately 54,000 residents in the Noosa Shire,
however this figure can increase markedly during peak holiday periods. With a growing population comes a
proportional, growing demand for water-based tourism activities.
While the influx of visitors and holiday-makers




                                                         T
contributes significantly to Noosa’s economy, the
growing levels of recreational boating activity




                                                       F
and increased demand for infrastructure have
the potential to affect the environmental and                       Recreational boating census
amenity values of the river and distract from the




                                                     A
                                                                    In 2014 the Department of Transport
user’s enjoyment of the waterways.
                                                                    and Main Roads conducted a recreational
                                                                    boating census which revealed over a




             R
                                                                    quarter of a million recreational vessels
3.1.1 Noosa River Marine Zone
                                                                    were registered in Queensland.




           D
Prior to the State’s recreational boating census,                   This equates to approximately 1 registered
the community was already expressing concerns                       boat or Jet Ski for every 19 residents.
about the number and type of watercraft using
                                                                    The census also showed 51% of all
the Noosa River, and the increasing competition
for space between various river users. These                        recreational boats and 71% of Jet Skis were
concerns led Council to establish the Noosa                         accommodated by the Brisbane maritime
River Marine Zone to prohibit and restrict certain                  region which includes the Sunshine Coast
activities in the river.                                            and Gold Coast waterways.
The Marine Zone is a regulation made under                          The Brisbane maritime region reported the
the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act                        strongest growth (9.8%) in the number of
and is enforceable by Noosa Council and State                       Jet Skis on the register.
agencies.
The Noosa River Marine Zone:
   •	Restricts personal jet skis to transiting
      downstream of the Noosa Waters Inlet and out to the open ocean.
   •   Prohibits personal jet skis on the remainder of the river.
   •	Allows commercial jet skis to operate within the officially gazetted commercial jet ski area in lower
      estuary
   •   Restricts water skiing to two ski runs in the river, upstream from Tewantin.
   •	Prohibits hovercraft, airboats, seaplanes, surfing and wave-jumping activities from operating in the
      river (refer Figure 2 below).
Ongoing education and monitoring of activities is required to ensure compliance with the Marine Zone
rules.


                                                                                    Noosa River Plan l Page 19