Maritime Safety Queensland's Noosa River management plan on track

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is continuing to implement its Noosa River management plan through a staged and considered approach.

The staged implementation has already introduced important zoning measures such as speed limits and anchoring restrictions, alongside a broader package of initiatives designed to increase safety, improve access for all waterway users, and protect the environment and the river's ecosystem.

MSQ crafted the plan with the aid of community feedback. Throughout the process, MSQ listened to the Noosa community and made targeted adjustments to ensure the management plan is delivered in accordance with the extensive community and stakeholder consultation to date, which will ensure a cleaner, safer, and more accessible waterway for everyone.

Stages one to four of the management plan have now been successfully implemented. These stages focused on: addressing derelict and unseaworthy vessels and ensuring compliance with pollution regulations; introducing lower speed limits in safety-critical zones; and implementing anchoring restrictions to reduce pollution, improve amenity and ease congestion in the lower Noosa River.

Stage five will take effect from May 31, 2025 and will introduce restricted anchoring for vessels over five metres within 30 metres of the northern shoreline, from the Noosa Bar to Lake Cooroibah.

These restrictions are consistent with the rules that were introduced during stage four and will apply to the Noosa River southern shoreline and the Woods Bay/Little Woods Bay and Noosa sound areas.

Stage six is scheduled to begin on October 1, 2025. It will limit all vessels over five metres to anchoring for no more than 28 days per calendar year in the Noosa River below Lake Cooroibah.

This is a staged program, and future stages will expand these limits across the broader Noosa River system.

MSQ said the staged approach to the delivery of the Noosa River management plan will ensure responsible implementation of the program, balancing immediate safety concerns with community expectations and allowing time for members of the community who may be affected by the reforms to adapt and comply.

While the plan is being rolled out, vessel owners are reminded of their obligations to maintain a seaworthy vessel and comply with all safety and pollution regulation. MSQ officers will continue active patrols of the Noosa River and its tributaries to ensure compliance with those regulations.

Full details of the Noosa River Plan are available on MSQ’s website.