As mentioned our July 2025 Noosa 360 update, Maritime Safety QLD (MSQ) agreed to review the scope of stage six of the Noosa River Management Plan. At a meeting since then, MSQ advised that following community feedback, they are consolidating the stage six and seven reforms into a single, final stage. These changes will now take effect 1 January 2026 and implement a twenty-eight-day anchoring limit per financial year across the entire Noosa River system, including Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba. Please find MSQ’s media release below in italic, which has further information.

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), as the State’s maritime regulator, is continuing the rollout of the Noosa River Management Plan, with the final stages combined and brought forward to commence from 1 January 2026.

Following extensive community feedback and the successful implementation of Stages 1 to 5 from September 2023, the previously planned Stage 6 and Stage 7 reforms will be consolidated into a single Noosa River system-wide anchoring restriction. This change ensures consistent rules across the Noosa River and adjoining waters while supporting Maritime Safety Queensland’s ongoing commitment to safe, fair and environmentally responsible use of the waterways.

From 1 January 2026, vessels over 5 metres in length will be limited to a maximum of 28 days anchoring per financial year across the Noosa River and adjoining waters. But once the 28-day limit is reached, they must not return until the following financial year.

Long-term on-water storage of vessels at anchor will no longer be permitted. Vessels on Maritime Safety Queensland registered moorings will not be affected.

This includes all waterways and tributaries within the system – including Noosa Sound, Lake Weyba, Lake Doonella, Lake Cooroibah, Lake Cootharaba, the Noosa River Everglades and connected creeks.

Maritime Safety Queensland confirms the current number of moorings in the Noosa River will be maintained at 119 (which has been the limit for many years), with no new moorings planned.

From 1 January 2026, Maritime Safety Queensland will increase compliance controls to ensure the new anchoring restrictions are being adhered to by the boating community.

The completed Noosa River Management Plan, effective from 1 January 2026, delivers on Maritime Safety Queensland’s long-term goals to:

  • Improve navigational safety and fair access for all waterway users.
  • Protect the environment and preserve the river’s natural ecosystems.

Since the commencement of the Noosa River Management Plan in September 2023, around 90 vessels have moved out of the new “no anchoring” zones along the southern foreshore, Woods Bay, Little Woods Bay, Noosa Sound and the northern shoreline of the Noosa River.

In addition, during this time 32 derelict vessels have been resolved. Of these, 16 vessels have left the river and another 16 vessels were repaired and made seaworthy by the vessel owners after formal instructions were issued by Maritime Safety Queensland.

It is appreciated that following our advocacy, MSQ reviewed the next stages to avoid any potential unintended consequences. Sandy thanks General Manager Kell Dillon and the MSQ team for listening to resident concerns regarding stage 6 and the northern section of the river system, and we encourage all to continue to provide feedback over the coming months via sunshinecoast.maritime@msq.qld.gov.au and CC our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.

We will continue to work with MSQ and our community during the remaining implementation stages of the Noosa River Management Plan and will update as further information becomes available.

Moorings

MSQ have also clarified that no additional moorings have been allocated in the Noosa River in the response in italics below. Sandy continues to advocate that the waitlist needs to be reopened for locals.

Buoy moorings have been established in the Noosa River for many years. No additional areas are planned to establish buoy moorings.

Mooring allocation was suspended during the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee process and MSQ is now working through the extensive waitlist.

Mooring allocation remains under the number of previously approved moorings.

MSQ will continue to allocate buoy moorings and adjust positions including the use of fore and aft moorings appropriate to the conditions and area.

Existing buoy mooring authority holders have not been required to transition to fore and aft moorings however authority conditions allow amendment by MSQ for the efficiency and effectiveness of the maritime industry if required.

As with all buoy mooring authorities the authority holder is responsible for all cost for the establishment, repositioning and removal of the apparatus.

MSQ does not mandate the nature of the apparatus.

Vessels should be seaworthy and appropriately constructed to withstand perils of ordinary voyages including when at anchor or moored.

With residents raising the need for an independent survey of anchored and moored boat numbers on the Noosa River, local not for profit, Tide & Place, were successful in their Noosa MP grant application which enabled them to undertake. More information including the results are available at www.sandybolton.com/noosa-river-independent-audit-update-august-2025.

Further information

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on the Noosa River, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+River.