MAYORAL MINUTES · Attachment 1 to the Ordinary Meeting Minutes dated 19 March 2026 - Noosa Council Submission_SCWA Bill 2026

   4. How potential conflicts between SCWA’s navigation objectives (Clause 11(1)(c)) and the
      environmental, geomorphological or hazard mitigation considerations under the Coastal
      Protection and Management Act 1995 will be resolved, particularly in a dynamic coastal
      system such as the Noosa River entrance.
Clarification on these points is essential to ensure coordinated sediment management, avoid
duplication of responsibilities, and maintain the ecological and geomorphic integrity of the
Noosa River mouth.


A12 (a) Funding Model and Long-Term Resourcing

The explanatory notes accompanying the Bill indicate that an allocation of $35.6 million over
three years has been approved to establish and operate the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority.

Council seeks clarification regarding the long-term funding model for the Authority, including:

   1. whether the Authority will have access to ongoing State funding beyond the initial
      establishment period;
   2. whether revenue mechanisms such as infrastructure fees or facility charges may be
      introduced in future; and
   3. whether local governments may be expected to contribute financially to projects
      identified through the Waterways Management Strategy or Program.

Clarity regarding the long-term funding framework will assist councils and stakeholders to
understand the Authority’s future operational capacity and investment priorities.



A13. Acknowledgement of MSQ’s Contribution and Request for Continued Resourcing
Noosa Council acknowledges the significant work undertaken by Maritime Safety Queensland
(MSQ) in implementing the Noosa River Management Plan (NRMP) to date. Over recent years,
MSQ has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving safety, environmental protection and
vessel management on the Noosa River, including the rollout of anchoring reforms, mooring field
improvements, vessel registration compliance, hazard identification, public facing education
programs and safety signage upgrades. MSQ’s implementation has been instrumental in meeting
the recommendations of the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NRSAC), whose
diverse membership—including community representatives, environmental groups, Traditional
Owners, industry operators and Council—ensured that management actions remain
transparent, balanced, and grounded in community knowledge and expectations. Council
appreciates MSQ’s responsiveness to issues raised through NRSAC and its dedication to fulfilling
the Committee’s recommendations and action items.




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