EASTERN BEACHES FORESHORE RESERVES MANAGEMENT PLAN - COMMUNITY CONSULTATION OVERVIEW AND PROPOSED CHANGES (Referred from Planning and Environment Committee dated 8 August 2023 - Item 5.1) · Attachment 2 EBFRMP 2023 Draft - tracked changes

A mobility mat – Mobi-Mat - has been installed on nearby Noosa Main Beach, through a
collaborative project between Surf Life Saving Queensland, Noosa Surf Club, Tewantin-Noosa
Lions Club, Noosa MP Sandy Bolton, and Council. It is a firm, recycled plastic mat that extends
from the beach access ramp in front of the Noosa Surf Life Club, across the beach and to the
water. It provides better universal access down to the water, and access to the sand for
sunbathing, making sand castlessandcastles and other beach activities. This is a permanent
installation, only removed for king tides and bad storms. Considerations in locating the mat in this
location included: the very high visitor attendance, the flagged swimming area, and a flat, stable
beach that enables permanent installation.




Figure 15: Mobility mat on Noosa Main Beach



Swimming and surf lifesaving
With over eleven kilometers of beaches, ocean swimming and paddling is a drawcard for locals
and visitors. Three flagged bathing areas in the EBFRs, at Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach and
Peregian Beach, are patrolled with a mix of paid Surf Life Saving Queensland lifeguards and
volunteer lifesavers from Surf Life Saving clubs at Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach and Peregian
Beach. People are encouraged to swim here between the flags and the areas are managed to be
significantly safer than the general beach or coastal environment. Surfboards, canoes, kayaks,
fishing equipment, and any surf equipment that could be dangerous or be likely to injure someone
is prohibited, along with the equipment and activities prohibited in the broader bathing reserve
below. Dogs are prohibited in bathing areas.

These bathing areas sit in larger bathing reserves, which allows for equipment and conduct to be
regulated to help provide safer swimming conditions at a lesser extent than the highly managed
bathing areas. Motorised or wind powered equipment, spear fishing, and surf equipment that may
injure or endanger others is prohibited. The bathing reserve at Sunshine and Sunrise Beach is
Eastern Beaches Foreshore Reserves Management Plan 2023                                       Page 50