During the 2024 State Election, the Queensland Government committed to establishing a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA) that includes Noosa. This proposal was announced despite there being no identified request from the Noosa community for local waterways to be governed by a regional authority.

For more than a year, Sandy has sought clarity on behalf of residents, regarding what the proposed authority would mean in practice including benefits, and why Noosa was included without prior engagement. With the tabling of the Bill, further information regarding the proposed functions and powers of the authority has now been outlined.

Proposed functions

The key functions of the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority as outlined in the Bill include:

1.to plan strategically for the management of the Sunshine Coast waterways by developing—

    • a waterways management strategy; and
    • a waterways management program;

2. to install, manage and maintain infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast waterways;

3. to manage navigational access to, and within, the Sunshine Coast waterways;

4. to monitor and manage the movement of sand or sediment —

    • in the Sunshine Coast waterways; and
    • in coastal waters, or on land, adjacent to the Sunshine Coast waterways for managing the Sunshine Coast waterways;

5. to perform any other function given to it under this Actor another Act.

These proposed functions have raised questions given the extensive work already undertaken through the Noosa River Management Plan over a long period involving significant public consultation with river users, residents, businesses, environmental groups and Noosa Shire Council, with its final stage only recently commenced.

Governance structure

The Bill outlines that the authority would be governed by a chairperson and six additional board members appointed by the minister.

However, it does not require that any member of the board be from Noosa, only that consultation occur with the Noosa community and Noosa Shire Council. This potential lack of direct Noosa representation on the governing board has raised concerns, given the authority would hold management powers over our local waterways.

Departmental Responsibilities & Additional Resources

Questions have also been raised regarding how the proposed authority would operate alongside or over existing responsibilities held by MSQ, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), and local Councils, as each of these bodies currently plays a role in the management of the river, waterways and foreshore.

In addition, with no commitment to additional on-the-ground resources that have been sought for decades, further clarification has been sought regarding the proposed $35.6 million committed to the SCWA

Next steps

The Bill has now been referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for consideration, with the committee inviting submissions from all interested parties on any aspect of the Bill until 20 March 2025. For guidelines on preparing a submission, or to lodge one online, visit www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=272&id=8573.

Sandy has also requested that the Minister for Transport and Main Roads undertake public engagement with Noosa Council, local stakeholders, recreational and commercial waterway users, environmental groups, MSQ and DAF and other relevant community representatives to ensure a transparent process for the preservation of Noosa’s voice and genuine improvement of outcomes for our waterways and community. In addition, that any results of engagement be made public.

Once feedback has been obtained from our community during the inquiry consultation as above, in addition to a submission Sandy will be writing to the minister requesting any required amendments to ensure that identified concerns regarding the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority can be appropriately addressed.

Further information

To view the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026, visit:
https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Tabled-Papers/docs/5826T0274/5826t274.pdf

Background and previous updates regarding the Noosa River Management Plan are available via:
https://www.sandybolton.com/?s=noosa+river