Noosa River Management

boats on water

Who Does What?  

Managing the Noosa River involves several organisations, each with different responsibilities. To make this clear and easy for the community, this page sets out what Noosa Council is responsible for, and what Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is responsible for.

This information is provided because the terms “Noosa River catchment planning/CAP work” (Council) and “Noosa River Management Plan” (MSQ) sound similar, but relate to different processes, carried out by different levels of government.

1. What Noosa Council Does

Noosa Council manages the land-based and environmental aspects of the river and its catchment. This includes:

Environmental Health and Catchment Management

  • Monitoring water quality
  • Coordinating restoration projects (wetlands, riparian zones, seagrass, saltmarsh)
  • Supporting erosion/sediment management programs
  • Working with partners (Resilient Rivers SEQ, NICA, Unitywater, DESI, DAF)
  • Managing environmental data and technical assessments
Foreshore, Parks and Public Land
  • Managing foreshore facilities, reserves, parklands and access points
  • Land‑based waste management, amenities and public safety
  • Responding to land‑based environmental issues
Planning, Development and Community Wellbeing
  • Assessing development on land (e.g. jetties, pontoons, shoreline structures)
  • Community education about river stewardship
  • Supporting referrals and wellbeing where appropriate
Council’s Current Work – Catchment Action Plan (CAP)

Council is preparing a catchment-scale environmental framework, the Noosa River Catchment Action Plan (CAP), as part of the wider SEQ Resilient Rivers Program  - The CAP will be developed throughout 2026 and will involve broad community engagement the CAP will consider such issues as:

  • Water quality
  • Habitat condition
  • Catchment pressures
  • Environmental resilience
  • Community values

2. What MSQ Does (State Government)

Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is the State maritime regulator. MSQ is responsible for on‑water rules on the Noosa River, including:

  • Anchoring limits (including the 28‑day rule)
  • “No anchoring” zones
  • Moorings (approval, allocation, regulation)
  • Speed zones
  • Vessel safety, seaworthiness and compliance notices
  • Removal of derelict or unsafe vessels
  • Navigation management and channel safety
MSQ’s Noosa River Management Plan – Current Staged Timeline

MSQ is implementing a multi‑stage, State‑led program to improve boating safety and environmental protection.

Stages 1–5 (2023–2025):

  • Speed zones, safety zones
  • Removal of derelict vessels
  • Notices to comply
  • Introduction of multiple no‑anchoring areas
Final Stage 6 (From 1 January 2026):
  • 28‑day anchoring limit per financial year for vessels >5 m
  • Applies across the whole Noosa River system
  • Long‑term on‑water storage no longer allowed

These changes are set and enforced by MSQ, not Council.

Official MSQ Information

For the latest rules, maps, and updates, see: MSQ – Changes for boating on the Noosa River

3. Important Clarification – Two Processes with Similar Names

To help avoid confusion:

MSQ’s “Noosa River Management Plan”

  • A State Government boating and safety program
  • Delivered through staged on‑water rules and enforcement
Council’s “Noosa River Catchment Action Plan (CAP)”
  • A catchment environmental planning framework
  • Focused on water quality, habitats, land‑based pressures and resilience
  • Does not regulate anchoring, moorings or vessel behaviour

Although the names sound similar, these processes are completely separate and run by different levels of government.

4. Quick Summary for the Community

  • If it’s about boats, anchoring, moorings or on‑water rules = MSQ (State).
  • If it’s about environment, water quality, habitats or land‑based management = Council.
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