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

    Because tenure-based constraints are a significant factor in Noosa (e.g., Chaplin Park, Lake
    St, Noosa Woods), the absence of a clear statutory framework creates a material risk of
    State-led proposals displacing local land-use intent.


A8. Navigational Access vs. Local Waterway Management Objectives
Noosa Council seeks clarification on how the SCWA’s explicit powers in Part 2, clause 12(c) to
manage navigational access within Sunshine Coast waterways—as outlined in the Bill’s
functions (e.g., strategic planning, navigation management and infrastructure installation)—will
operate alongside Council’s ongoing responsibilities for:
   1. waterway environmental health;
   2. management of shore based impacts of boating;
   3. public safety and amenity around high use foreshore areas;
   4. development assessment for tidal works under existing legislation.
Given the breadth of the Authority’s navigation related functions, Council is concerned about
potential points of conflict, including:
   1. Navigation driven dredging or access works that may undermine local environmental
      objectives or established ecosystem management practices;
   2. Increases in vessel tra ic or intensification of boating activity at sites that are physically
      unsuitable or environmentally constrained;
   3. Expansion of commercial or recreational boating use inconsistent with longstanding
      community expectations for low impact, environmentally oriented management of the
      Noosa River.
Council therefore seeks clarification on:
      how the Bill intends to coordinate or prioritise SCWA navigation functions against
       Council’s environmental, land use, safety and foreshore management responsibilities;
      what statutory mechanisms or safeguards will ensure SCWA decisions do not
       unintentionally override or adversely a ect local planning instruments, environmental
       protections, or amenity outcomes; and
      how potential disputes or conflicts of priority between SCWA and Council will be resolved
       within the legislative framework.


A9. Ministerial Direction Powers

Clause 55 of the Bill provides that the Minister may issue written directions to the Sunshine Coast
Waterways Authority regarding the performance of its functions.




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