Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has relaxed anchor restrictions on the Noosa River in response to community engagement with a six-month trial to allow vessels between 5m and 7.5m to anchor on or near the southern shore of the Noosa River for up to two hours a day.
After receiving positive feedback from the Noosa community about the implementation of anchoring restrictions on Noosa River’s southern shore mid-July 2024, MSQ has also listened to the feedback related to accessing the shore, balancing risk and safety implications and the benefits of public amenity.
Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Kell Dillon said, “Since the new anchoring restrictions were introduced on 15 July 2024, MSQ has been very pleased with the high level of compliance to the new Noosa River management plan, and the success of the program.”
“MSQ has continued to communicate with the public and take onboard the feedback provided, which has led to this trial for slightly larger boats to access the area for short periods of time to allow access to parks and local shops for “day-tripper” type of boating activities.
“The trial ratifies the commonsense approach that MSQ has taken to shoreline access since the restriction came into effect.
“MSQ has been pleased by the overwhelming community support for the changes so far, which have delivered obvious reductions in congestion and increased safe access to the shorelines of the busy Noosa River.
“The southern shoreline of the Noosa River is now far cleaner and much safer than it was before MSQ introduced the restrictions.”
Independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said the trial followed her relay of residents concerns to MSQ and meetings with MSQ since restrictions were imposed.
Ms Bolton said even though previously assured by MSQ that the new rules are targeting those who have been doing the ‘wrong thing’ and ‘parking up’ permanently in these zones, not genuine river users engaging in recreational activities or to access shops and services, she understands the concerns regarding the difference between MSQ’s intention and what the rules actually state, hence why this change was needed.
“This is a step in the right direction and a key improvement identified by our community. Our work has also included advocating for the full MSQ consultation results to be released and for the maximisation of existing moorings,” she said.
The requested information sought from MSQ’s consultation regarding the Noosa River Management is now available at www.bit.ly/NRconsultaitonResults, with MSQ advising it will soon be available on their website as well.
“After two or more decades of our community being frustrated by the poor management of the river, it was an enormous commitment of State Government to acknowledge they needed to do better and commit to a course of action. This was a journey of some six years in total – three years from the start of advocacy to the formation of the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee, and then another three years until the final management changes and timeline were announced,” Ms Bolton said.
“As we are moving through the various stages, it is really good to see that MSQ is responding to feedback from our community, and I ask that over the coming months as further changes occur for residents to continue with this as it is appreciated.”
MSQ will implement the six-month trial to again allow vessels between 5m and 7.5m to anchor on or near the southern shore of the Noosa River, as long as they anchor safely and responsibly and consider the impact or other river users in the area, and is confident it will be a benefit for the community and all river users.
Vessels 5m or under will still be able to anchor in the area without restrictions, provided they are also anchored safely, are not being used to live-aboard and do not obstruct other river users.
Over the next couple of months MSQ’s Marine Officers will be undertaking routine marine pollution audits of vessels on the river, checks for living on board permits and anchored vessel compliance in accordance with existing legislation.
MSQ officers will also be active on the river undertaking boating safety compliance and education activities and rolling out similar shoreline anchoring restrictions to the Woods Bay and Dogs Beach/ Noosa Sound areas to ensure consistency in the lower Noosa River. People are reminded that living on board vessels downstream of Munna Point is prohibited.
MSQ officers have been actively engaged in cleaning up old moorings and abandoned infrastructure from the riverbanks and river itself, leading to much cleaner and safer waterways for everyone to enjoy.
Noting the success of the staged implementation of the Noosa River Management Plan to date, and lessons learnt during implementation, MSQ will defer the next planned stage of the Noosa River management plan to prohibit unoccupied vessels over 5m in length until after the busy summer holiday period – as long as they are anchored safely, are seaworthy and are complying with all current legislation.
All other timelines of the implementation plan for the Noosa River management plan previously promulgated by MSQ will remain in place.
