The Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee was disbanded by Noosa Council and Maritime Safety Queensland on 30 March after a somewhat rocky two-year ride along our troubled waters.
The creation of the 14-person committee in April 2021 came with high hopes that it would bring the river factions together, but these were only ever fleetingly realised, despite Mayor Clare Stewart, an observer at NRSAC’s first meeting, saying: “It was great to be able to… see their enthusiasm for the river and for developing solutions to the big issues. I’m looking forward to hearing the committee’s advice when they present their recommendations on their initial priorities to MSQ and council.”
Noosa Today was equally optimistic: “After more than half a dozen attempts over two decades to get the warring parties to work together, sources within the [committee] say that this one might work.”
Whether NRSAC actually achieved any of its objectives over two years is subject to debate, but in recent months there has been increasing agreement that it had become redundant.
This week a four-paragraph statement from acting council chief executive officer Larry Sengstock confirmed that: “The Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee was assembled to provide feedback and recommendations to Maritime Safety Queensland on a range of issues relating to management of Noosa River. With that work now complete, the committee has been disbanded. Council appreciates the work of the NRSAC and thanks each of the members for their involvement.
“MSQ also recently conducted a survey to gather community feedback on a range of Noosa River matters. Council understands MSQ is working through all of that feedback currently and any future decisions will be subject to the usual ministerial process.”
Noosa Today understands that MSQ, under the leadership of general manager Kell Dillon, who co-chaired the final meeting with Mr Sengstock, is hoping to use its legislative proposals for Noosa River as a model for all Queensland waterways with high tourist traffic, with implementation beginning perhaps as early as the end of the year.
Next week Noosa Today will review the highs and lows of NRSAC, and look at the changes to river management that MSQ now hopes to achieve.
