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

climate-resilient, environmentally responsible, and locally informed is essential to safeguarding
these values.

Accordingly, this submission seeks to:
   1. Highlight areas of the Bill regarding roles, responsibilities, tenure and decision making
      where Council seeks further clarity;
   2. Seek confirmation of representation on the SCWA for the 3 Local Governments.
   3. Identify risks of functional overlap or conflict between SCWA and Council, particularly in
      infrastructure planning, tenure management, environmental protection, climate change
      response and foreshore integration;
   4. Emphasise the importance of genuine and early consultation, noting the Bill requires
      consultation but not endorsement by local governments;
   5. Ensure that Noosa’s distinct environmental and waterway values, community
      expectations and statutory land use frameworks are appropriately recognised in the
      establishment and ongoing operation of the SCWA; and
   6. Propose amendments or safeguards to support collaborative, transparent and place
      based waterway governance to meet the objectives and aspirations of our community.
   7. Given the significance and level of community interest requests that, as part of this
      process, a hearing be held to provide representation and presentation of submissions.
Noosa Council remains committed to constructive engagement with the State to deliver the best
outcomes for the region’s waterways. Council notes the State, The Premier and Deputy Premiers
public commitment to work in partnership with Local Government and hopes this process and
consideration of the issues raised by Council occurs in line with these commitments. Council’s
submission seeks to ensure the legislation supports a model that ensures clarity of roles and
responsibilities, demonstrates a partnership approach with local government and community,
enhances local stewardship, ecological protection, and the long-term sustainability of the Noosa
River system.
Noosa Council expresses significant concern that the development of the Sunshine Coast
Waterways Authority Bill 2026 was undertaken without consultation with:
      Noosa Council, or
      the Kabi Kabi First Nations People, the Native Title holders for the region.
This omission represents a major weakness in the Bill’s development process and has
contributed to several areas of ambiguity and misalignment between the Bill’s provisions and the
distinct management needs, cultural values and environmental sensitivities of the Noosa River
system.
The Parliamentary Committee’s public summary confirms that the Bill imposes consultation
obligations only for the future development of the Waterways Management Strategy, requiring

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