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MAYORAL MINUTES · 2026-03-19 Mayor Minute - Submission to the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill
v9 NOOSA @*& Council Councils Submission on the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill | hereby give notice of my intention to move the following motion at the Ordinary Meeting on Thursday, 16 March 2026: 1 Submission on the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill That Council: A. Endorse the attached submission on the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill and submit to State Development Infrastructure and Works Committee prior to 12 midday Friday 20 March 2026, and B. Delegate to the CEO to make any necessary changes as a result of discussion, direction or decision at this meeting and or minor amendments if required prior to submission. C. Does not support the bill in its current form based on the concerns raised in the submission. . BACKGROUND On 4 March 2026 the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, introduced the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026 into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for detailed consideration. The objective of the Bill as described by the Minister for is to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA) as a statutory body. The Bill provides for the SCWA to be responsible for defined waterways from Pumicestone Passage in the south to the Noosa lakes in the north, including the Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers. The Bill establishes a board for the SCWA as its governing body, and provides for the appointment of a chief executive officer and SCWA staff. The proposed functions of the SCWA include to: e plan strategically for the management of the Sunshine Coast waterways by developing a waterways management strategy, that considers the benefits and impacts for the local community, local environment, and local marine industries, tourism and economy e develop a waterways management program to implement the waterways management strategy e install, manage and maintain infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast waterways e manage navigational access to, and within, the Sunshine Coast waterways e monitor and manage sand and sediment movement in Sunshine Coast waterways and adjacent coastal waters and land. The Bill is currently open for submissions for a very short period, with submissions due by midday Friday 20" March 2026. Given this short timeframe and the significance of the matter | bring forward this Mayoral minute for Council consideration and endorsement of the attached submission to be lodged by close of submissions deadline tomorrow. Page 1 of 2
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v9 NOOSA @®& Council The attached submission in summary 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, requests a hearing be held to provide representation and presentation of submissions. A public briefing was held in Brisbane yesterday at which is was stated that Local Government had been consulted on the Bill, it is my understanding that this is not accurate to my knowledge Noosa Council was not consulted on this Bill prior to it being made public via State Government website. | note the Crisafulll Government has committed publicly to work in partnership with Local Governments and we welcome this commitment, we trust that Local Governments feedback into this process will be considered seriously given the significance of this Bill. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the State Government on all matters relevant to Noosa and important to our community such as this one. Cr Frank Wilkie, Mayor Date Page 2 of 2