Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has provided further rationale in response to questions (as below) relating to the implementation of the Noosa River Management Plan.

Q. Why was a Noosa river-wide, time-based anchoring limit adopted?

Answer

  • Stage 6 was implemented through a Gazette Notice under section 197 of the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016, which applied where vessel anchoring, or operating may endanger marine safety.
  • MSQ applied this provision on a whole-of-system basis after assessing and on-going community led feedback that congestion, navigational conflict and long-term anchoring were affecting the safe functioning of the interconnected system of river, lakes and creeks. It was also apparent that some vessels remaining at anchor for extended periods were contributing to deteriorating and unseaworthy vessel conditions. On this basis, MSQ determined that a system-wide response was necessary, which was strongly supported through the NRSAC process, public consultation and ongoing community feedback.
  • The first four stages of the Noosa River Plan addressed issues in narrow and high-use areas at the lower end of the river. The mix of shallow lakes and narrow channels in the Noosa River system meant that long-staying vessels in the lower reach continued to contribute to congestion, and relocating upstream for unregulated anchoring risked creating the same issues elsewhere.
  • Expanding location-based restrictions across the entire river would also be complex and confusing for the boating public. The 28-day anchoring limit introduced on the 1 January 2026, provides one uniform time limit across the river, lakes and creeks to ensure consistent rules and accessibility for all, while effectively managing congestion on the busy waterway.

Q. What evidence supported the conclusion that cumulative time at anchor presents risks across the whole system, including the lakes?

Answer

  • The Noosa River is a popular and heavily used waterway, with a broad mix of users and an ever-increasing number of vessels and watercraft, particularly during holiday periods. MSQ has long received complaints and representations from the Noosa Community about river safety issues, particularly relating to congestion, an increasing number of vessels anchored throughout the river and along shorelines, as well as concerns relating to marine pollution arising from liveaboard vessels.
  • There are 119 buoy moorings on the Noosa River, and prior to the roll-out of Stage 6 of the Noosa River Plan, there were also approximately 150 large vessels (over 5m) at anchor on the river – a number that was growing every year. This volume of large vessels at anchor or moored created significant congestion, leading to growing safety concerns for the wide variety of craft using the waterway, including both powered and unpowered private vessels, commercial vessels including jet-ski hire, smaller hire-and-drive vessels, and ferries.
  • Anchoring is also not considered a suitable option for long-term vessel storage. Vessels left unoccupied and unattended at anchor, in some cases for many years have left a cumulative impact on the visual amenity of the river and significantly contribute to river clutter and congestion. As of the 4 March 2026, the number of anchored vessels in Noosa River has reduced from approximately 150 to 86, with 64 vessels leaving the river system since gazettal of the final stage of the Noosa River Management Plan in October 2025.

Q. Why couldn’t some areas of the Noosa River system be excluded from the new anchoring limits?

Answer

  • The Noosa River waters operate as an interconnected system and the cumulative impact of anchored vessels in the Noosa River present ongoing environmental and safety concerns. Environmental impacts of anchored vessels on the Noosa River include harm to the substrate and seagrass beds due to anchor drag, damage to mangroves due to vessels being tethered to trees, and marine pollution due to non-compliance with requirements for vessels on the river.
  • Long term vessels anchored in the river that may be old and in poor condition can pose a safety risk to the people living on board and other vessels, particularly during adverse weather events. Risks are heightened in the Noosa River system, as it is narrow in some sections and very shallow in others, and being a popular boating destination for locals and visitors alike, it is also shared with a variety of waterways users, including recreation and commercial users of all types.
  • Stages 4 and 5 of the Noosa River Plan introduced no anchoring zones in the most congested areas of the river. The sixth and final stage applied one clear standard across the entire system, whether a vessel is anchored in narrow river reaches or in broader waters such as Lakes Weyba, Cooroibah or Cootharaba. The Noosa River Plan aims to ensure fair access and safety for all waterway users, and to protect the river’s environment and ecosystems.

Q. Were alternative safety-focused approached considered?

Answer

  • Location specific restrictions and case-by-case enforcement of individual vessels continue to be used where required, but these tools could not fully address the wider issues associated with long term on-water storage, or with derelict and abandoned vessels contributing to safety and navigational hazards. They also could not prevent vessels from relocating to other parts of the system as earlier measurers took effect, and being abandoned in more remote parts of the river – to become both environmental and navigational hazards in their own right.
  • The staged implementation of the community endorsed Noosa River Plan ensures that vessels on the waterway are managed in the most appropriate way to ensure that safety is increased, equity of access for users of the waterway is supported, and environmental impacts of vessel activity are improved.

We appreciate the additional information and rationale provided by MSQ regarding the implementation of the Noosa River Management Plan, including the safety, environmental and access considerations outlined above. It is also appreciated that MSQ have been actively working with identified vulnerable persons and taking their individual circumstances in consideration.

We will continue to keep the community informed as we receive further responses and updates from the Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Maritime Safety Queensland.

Further information

For all updates regarding the Noosa River visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=noosa+river

To read the full Noosa River Management Plan: www.msq.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-stories/changes-for-boating-on-noosa-river

For direct advocacy regarding the Noosa River Management Plan, contact the Minister for Transport and Main Roads via: transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive.