You are here:

1. Home
2. Waterways
3. Marine zones

Marine zones

In 2005, changes were made to the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004 to provide for the establishment of marine zones. Marine zone legislation is about better managing our waterways at a local level to balance the needs of maritime users with local community concerns about amenity.

Marine zones establish controls (including restrictions or prohibitions) on certain types of ships or activities within a specified area of our waterways. An example of the type of restriction that could be enforced via a marine zone is a limitation on jet skis, hovercraft and vessels engaged in waterskiing on a declared stretch of river before 10 am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Local government determines the need for marine zones following extensive community consultation and an assessment of options before formally approaching Maritime Safety Queensland for their establishment.

Guidelines for the development of marine zone proposals (PDF, 93 KB) have been developed to provide a convenient reference for proposing entities to establish marine zones in line with requirements under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2004.

Where are marine zones in Queensland?

Before going out on the water, check whether your intended destination is a marine zone. As marine zones are created, they will be listed below.

• Recreational operation of personal watercraft, including jet skis – prohibit the operation of personal watercraft on the Noosa River, upstream of the Noosa Waters inlet and upstream of a line in Weyba Creek. This allows personal watercraft operators to transit within the river channel, within and downstream of Noosa Waters and Noosa Sound to the river mouth, to access the open ocean.
• Waterskiing – waterskiing is only permitted in the two waterski runs between Tewantin and Lake Cooroibah, and between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
• Freestyling, surfing and wave jumping – this activity is not permitted on the Noosa River. An exemption from this rule has been provided to commercial personal watercraft operating in the Noosa River commercial personal watercraft area. These personal watercraft must comply with all other aspects of marine safety regulations.
• Hovercraft, airboats and takeoff and landing of aircraft – these activities are not permitted on the Noosa River.

• Noosa River and lakes – personal watercraft prohibited areas (PDF, 1.15 MB)
• Noosa River and lakes – waters where waterskiing endangers marine safety (PDF, 1.11 MB)

For further information about the Noosa River marine zone see the Sunshine Coast Regional Council website*.

It is also a good idea to check whether any other restrictions may apply. For example check the requirements of waterways management plans and marine park zones.

On the spot fines will be issued to those caught in contravention of a marine zone.

For further information contact your local Maritime Safety Queensland regional office.

*The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.