As Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) continues to implement the various stages of the Noosa River Management Plan, residents raised the need to for an independent survey of anchored and moored boat numbers. In response, Sandy provided a Noosa MP grant to local not for profit organisation, Tide & Place, to undertake a study regarding, which has now been completed.
Key points include that the trend of increasing numbers of vessels has been halted, and condition of vessels assessed have improved between surveys, with 35 anchored and moored vessels in the lower river considered in either “poor” (32) or “derelict” (3) condition in 2025, compared to 44 vessels in 2022. In addition, no material migration of vessels to the upper river was noted, though considerable movement of vessels within the lower river was (from southern shoreline and eastern bays to waters adjacent to Goat Island and along northern shoreline downstream thereof).
For more results, please read the study in full at https://bit.ly/VesselSurvey
This follows the previous survey completed in July 2022 and provides a basis to determine the net change in vessels since the introduction of the Noosa River Management Plan and prior to the implementation of stage 6 which commences a limit of twenty-eight days per year for anchoring vessels over five meters on the lower river sections.
The study identified that further analysis of vessel numbers subject to MSQ’s reforms will be required following implementation of further stages, and Sandy has written to MSQ requesting they consider funding this annually or on a as needed basis.
It will be invaluable to see what progress is made from the final changes in a follow up report, and we thank the Tide & Place team for their efforts.
Please note, both surveys captured only anchored and moored vessels, plus unattended moorings. Vessels not subject to stage 6, including vessels hosted on jetties, in marinas or dry storage plus vessels less than 5 metres in length were not included.
For anyone with feedback after reading the report in its full context at the above link, please email our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to inform our ongoing advocacy.
A reminder that following advocacy, MSQ has agreed to review the scope of stage 6 to ensure there are no unintended consequences in its implementation, including for our communities further upstream. More information on this is available in our July 2025 Noosa 360 update at www.sandybolton.com/noosa-river-management-update-july-2025.
Further information
Feedback regarding the Noosa River Management Plan and other MSQ operations locally can be directed to sunshinecoast.martime@msq.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on the Noosa River, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+River.