Responsibilities
The Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority manages the Sunshine Coast waterways, which span from the Noosa River to the Pumicestone Passage. Our focus is to balance the needs of the environment, local communities, marine industries, and tourism to ensure these waterways remain a flourishing hub of activity, biodiversity, and natural beauty.
The Authority’s responsibilities
- Strategic planning: Developing a 10-year Waterways Management Strategy and annual programs to guide the sustainable use and development of our waterways.
- Infrastructure management: Installing, maintaining and managing essential public marine infrastructure and facilities. This includes the Mooloolaba state managed boat harbour, boat ramps, jetties, and aids to navigation.
- Navigational safety: Ensuring safe access to waterways by maintaining navigable channels and managing sand and sediment movement.
- Waterways activities and approvals: Undertaking tidal works development assessments, and administering approvals for buoy moorings and aquatic events and other waterways activities in Sunshine Coast waterways.
- Collaboration: Partnering with councils, community stakeholders and government agencies to deliver coordinated waterway management.
Waterways management strategy consultation
The Authority is developing a Waterways Management Strategy. It will guide how activities on the Sunshine Coast waterways are managed to ensure they are safe, accessible and sustainable. It will aim to protect the unique environmental values of the waterways while supporting local industries like tourism, commercial and recreational fishing, and marine-based recreation.
Community and stakeholder consultation will begin soon. Learn about our focus to ensure the future of the Sunshine Coast waterways. Our responsibilities include strategic planning, marine infrastructure and waterways management, collaboration and more.
Delivery of functions
To ensure continuity of service, Maritime Safety Queensland is currently delivering these functions:
- administering buoy moorings
- aquatic event approvals
- managing aids to navigation
- overseeing the Mooloolaba state-managed boat harbour
The Authority will take over these responsibilities from 30 November 2026. Until then, contact Maritime Safety Queensland for enquiries and applications.
Noosa River Management Plan
The Noosa River Management Plan will continue. The plan was developed with strong community and stakeholder support after extensive consultation.
The 28-day anchoring restriction will remain in place. This limits vessels over 5 metres to a maximum of 28 days anchoring per financial year across the Noosa River and adjoining waters. This rule reflects the community’s commitment to managing vessel storage and protecting the river’s unique environment.