Our advocacy on the management of visitation to the Teewah–Noosa North Shore beaches has continued on behalf of Noosa residents and stakeholders. In September 2025, Noosa Council sent us a list of priorities on behalf of Noosa Council and Teewah and North Shore Community Groups for our advocacy with the Minister for Environment.
These priorities included vehicle beach closures during turtle nesting season between Teewah Village and north of Teewah Village, reduced speed limits, increased compliance and improved information sharing between agencies, and a reduction in the number of Vehicle Access Permits until stronger management arrangements are in place. A timeline for the release of the final Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan (CRAMP) was also requested. The minister has since responded as below:
Beach closures to vehicles during turtle nesting season
To protect turtle nesting and hatching, DETSI actively manages beach access through existing regulations, education initiatives and compliance efforts. I am advised that comprehensive safety information is available via DETSI’s website, camping booking platform, park alerts, conditions reports and signage. I am also advised that DETSI rangers conduct regular compliance patrols and issue penalty infringement notices for unsafe or inappropriate beach driving, including parking or driving on dunes.
At this time, I am advised that seasonal/night driving limits are not supported based on an evaluation of the potential threats balanced with the need to maintain essential tidal access to the gazetted road for residents, fishers, campers and emergency services. A preferred approach adopted by DETSI includes enhancing visitor education and communication materials to discourage non-essential night driving during seasonal nesting cycles.
Although not supported by government as indicated above, the previously sought closure area from Freshwater Track to Double Island Point, would have addressed those concerns by still allowing through traffic via Freshwater Track.
Speed Limit Reduction
Residents and stakeholders have consistently raised safety concerns about the risks of high-speed traffic along Teewah Beach and these latest priorities as mentioned above, requested consideration of the following changes:
a. 60 km/h between the Noosa River Mouth and the Teewah Village area
b. 40 km/h within the Teewah Village area
c. 60 km/h between the Teewah Village area and Freshwater Track
The minister provided the following responses in relation to these requests:
DETSI continues to work collaboratively with other compliance and enforcement agencies including the Queensland Police Service (QPS), Department of Transport and Main Roads, Maritime Safety Queensland and local councils to improve safety and visitor behaviour. Notably, speed limits adjacent to Teewah Village and Teewah Beach camping areas have recently been reduced to 40 kilometres per hour.
Advice that speed limits adjacent to Teewah Village and the Teewah Beach camping areas have recently been reduced to 40 km/h was appreciated and already known to our office. We also requested that the additional speed limit reductions proposed be further considered.
Increased compliance and information sharing
With automated traffic-movement camera systems recommended for installation at all vehicle entry and exit points to the beach, we have requested that these systems be enabled to support automated penalty infringement notices, driver-licence demerit point issuance, and temporary Vehicle Access Permit ineligibility.
The minister provided the following response to these requests:
I am advised that since 2020, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition System has been in operation in the Cooloola Recreation Area providing 24-hour monitoring and permit validation for vehicles travelling through the recreation area. DETSI continues to invest in this key compliance system which is also utilised by the QPS and the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol.
Unfortunately, this did not actually answer the questions and our advocacy continues.
Restrict Cooloola recreation Area Vehicle Access Permits
A reduction in day passes to better manage visitor numbers during peak periods has been requested by the community over many years, with the aim of protecting environmental values and maintaining the visitor experience.
Previously, this was not achievable due to limitations within the QPWS booking system; however, since the upgrading of their system, we have continued to advocated regarding, and that Cooloola be brought into alignment with the permit systems used at K’gari and Bribie Island.
Unfortunately, the Minister did not provide a response to this request, and we have since followed up with the Minister’s office for clarification.
Cooloola Recreation Area Management Plan (CRAMP)
We have also requested a timeline of when the CRAMP would be released and the minister provided the below response:
The Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola section) Management Plan (the Management Plan) forms part of a broader planning approach for Great Sandy National Park, including the K’gari section and Great Sandy Strait islands. The Management Plan addresses key challenges such as balancing rising visitor use with quality experiences, managing altered fire regimes, controlling pest threats and protecting critical habitats, such as ground parrots in heath communities. The Management Plan is well advanced and is progressing through the approvals process with the intention to release in the early part of 2026.
We will continue to monitor the CRAMP’s release in early 2026.
Further Information
To view the Draft Cooloola Recreation Area Management plan, visit https://parks.desi.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/328019/cooloola-recreation-area-draft-management-plan.pdf.
For all our previous updates regarding Teewah and Cooloola, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Teewah.
For those wishing to also advocate with the relevant Queensland Ministers directly regarding this, please consider emailing the Minister for Environment via environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au. lease copy in our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.