Changes for boating on Noosa River
We have introduced a Noosa River waterway management plan to make the river safer for all.
Developed following community feedback, the Noosa River plan will:
- ease river congestion and improve safety
- ensure fair access to the waterways
- improve environmental impacts from vessel activity.
The Noosa River Management Plan staged approach
Stage 1: September 2023
- A 6 knots speed limits area was introduced:
- within 60m of the southern shore of Noosa River from the entrance to Lake Doonella to Noosa Sound
- across Noosa Sound and up to Woods Bay
- the “dog beach” area, south of the river entrance.
Stage 2: from April 2024
- Maritime Safety Queensland issuing "notices to comply" to vessels that are not seaworthy or not following marine safety and pollution standards.
Stage 3: from May 2024
- Vessels assessed as derelict or abandoned required to be removed from the Noosa River.
Stage 4: July 2024
- Staged implementation of no anchoring zones for Noosa River applies to:
- within 60m of the southern shore of Noosa River from the Garth Prowd Bridge to Lake Doonella (from 15 July 2024)
- Woods Bay and Dog Beach areas (from 24 February 2025)
- Little Wood Bay (from 24 March 2025).
S18-65 shows the restricted anchorage areas of the Noosa River.
Visit the Restricted areas page for further details.
Stage 5 and 6: pending announcements in April 2025
- Based on "lessons learnt" and community feedback to date, Maritime Safety Queensland has extended the timeline for the roll out of the Plan to be completed by September/ October 2025, to ensure appropriate engagement during the roll-out