The final stage of the Noosa River Management Plan commenced on 1 January 2026, introducing a 28-day anchoring limit across the entire river system. As mentioned in our September 2025 Noosa 360 update, this follows the consolidation of the Stage 6 and 7 reforms in response to community concerns that a staged rollout could see upriver areas used as a ‘dumping ground’ for vessels. Maritime Safety Queensland has provided the below information regarding the changes:


From 1 January 2026:

  • 28-day limit: Vessels over 5m can anchor for a maximum of 28 days per financial year across the entire Noosa River and connected waters.
  • Where it applies: This includes the Noosa River, Lake Weyba, Doonella Lake, Lake Cooroibah, Lake Cootharaba, the Everglades and all connected creeks.
  • How it works: You can use your 28 days all at once or spread them out. Once you reach the limit, you must wait until the next financial year to anchor again.
  • No long-term storage: Storing vessels long term at anchor will no longer be allowed.

Why these changes are happening: Improves safe navigation for vessels. Ensures fair access to Noosa River for all waterway users. Protects the river’s environment & ecosystems. Responds to community feedback.

Plan ahead:

  • Keep track of your days.
  • Know the rules before you anchor.

Moorings: The number of moorings will remain.

The additional information below was also provided:

While long-term anchoring on the Noosa River will no longer be permitted, boats may still anchor safely in the river for up to 28 days per financial year during periods of high personal use. During periods of low usage, vessels must be stored appropriately or removed from the river.

Boat owners wishing to keep their vessel on water in the Noosa River are encouraged to explore commercial storage options, such as leasing space on a jetty or pontoon.  Additionally, shore-based storage options like hardstand facilities or storing vessels on trailers, which provide a practical and flexible storage solution and allows access to other waterways beyond the Noosa River.

Supports for Vulnerable Individuals

Since the plan was first announced, Sandy has sought assurances that anyone at risk of homelessness or hardship due to the changes in Noosa River management were connected with appropriate housing and support services.

As a result, MSQ has continued to connect people with support services, such as Youturn, including taking support workers out to boats to discuss options with those in need. We have been provided with the below letter from Youturn that was distributed to vessel owners currently living aboard.

Youturn has been made aware of the new Anchor Laws that will come into effect on 1 January 2026. 

We’re reaching out to see how we might be able to assist during this transition.

Some of the supports we can offer include:

  • Help with Department of Housing applications
  • Referrals to other housing and community supports
  • Emergency Relief assessments (which can assist with food and other essentials)
  • Support with gaining identification
  • Assistance to develop a relocation plan or strategy
  • Access to showers, laundry facilities, and meals

If you think any of this could be helpful, or if you’d like to arrange a time to meet with us to find out more, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

You can come to our location in Tewantin at 12 Ernest St You can call us on 54424277 or 0400 553 277. You can also email us at tewantinoutreach@youturn.org.au   

We encourage anyone impacted to contact Youturn to discuss the above supports further. For those who have been connected to services and are still at risk of homelessness, please call the Noosa Electorate office on 5319 3100 to discuss your circumstances further.

Special Circumstances

MSQ have advised they continue to work closely with non-compliant vessel owners, including for those who may experience difficulties in moving their vessels, to explore their options. Anyone with special circumstances is encouraged to contact MSQ via MSQNoosa@tmr.gov.au or by calling 5373 2310.

Moorings

MSQ have advised they are not currently considering changes to existing moorings, as all efforts are being directed to the implementation and enforcement of these changes, with their current statement below:

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.

To view our previous update regarding moorings in the Noosa River, visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa-river-management-update-september-2025/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For any other questions MSQ have a dedicated FAQ section, which includes answers, on their website, to view these visit www.msq.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-stories/changes-for-boating-on-noosa-river.

Further information

Community Consultation and History

As previously posted in our June 2024 Noosa 360 update, the Noosa River Management Plan is the result of years of community advocacy to address historical issues on the river during a period of poor management by State Government, which saw a rise in abandoned hulks, unlawful liveaboards, effluent disposals, dangerous speeding and general safety concerns.

Starting with Noosa Council’s community jury in 2015 which led to Council’s efforts to see improved management of Noosa River: Sandy took the community’s concerns to the Minister for Transport and Main Roads when first elected in 2017. This, along with continued advocacy from residents and stakeholders, led to initial improvements, including the removal of numerous hulks, a dedicated MSQ officer based in Tewantin, and increased enforcement.

The establishment of the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee (NSRAC) followed in 2021, comprised of members selected through an expression of interest process from diverse applicants to capture the various river users and stakeholders. This was a joint Noosa Council and Maritime Safety Queensland Initiative. Information on the NSRAC can be found via  www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+river+stakeholder.

After two years of deliberations, the NSRAC finalised a series of key recommendations, which MSQ then took to well-publicised public consultations in 2022 and 2023.

The results of this consultation can be found via https://bit.ly/4pqbuLW, which saw most of the recommendations, including the 28-day anchoring limits, supported by a majority of respondents.

This led to the establishment of the Noosa River Management Plan in September 2023. For more information on the history of the Noosa River Management Plan, visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Noosa+river+management. To read the full Noosa River Management Plan via www.msq.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-stories/changes-for-boating-on-noosa-river.

Similar Anchoring Limit Regulations in Queensland and Other States

The Noosa River Management Plan includes the first 28-day per financial year anchoring limit in Queensland. However, the Gold Coast has also introduced anchoring and mooring limits of 7 consecutive days within any 60-day period in some areas. More information on this is available via https://gcwa.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/GCWA-Anchoring-and-Mooring-Guidelines-1.pdf.

Marine Parks throughout Queensland also have specific anchoring restrictions, which you are able to view via https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/access/moorings-and-no-anchoring-areas.

New South Wales’ anchoring limits apply to the entire state, as below:

Occupation of waters by a vessel

Please note the following NSW marine legislation that deals with the occupation of NSW waters by a vessel:

    1. The operator of a vessel must not allow a vessel to be at anchor in NSW waters for more than 90 days in any calendar year.

    2. The operator of a vessel must not allow a vessel to be at anchor in any one place in NSW waters for more than 28 days in any calendar year.

More information on the NSW laws are available via: www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways-boating-and-transport-information/waterways-and-designated-areas/mooring-and-anchoring

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