Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026

Introduced: 4/3/2026By: Hon B Mickelberg MPStatus: PASSED

Environment Regional Queensland Government & Elections

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Plain English Summary

Overview

This bill establishes the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority, a new statutory body to plan for and manage the region's waterways from Pumicestone Passage to the Noosa River. It responds to community concerns about fragmented waterway management across multiple councils and State agencies, particularly around the Bribie Island breakthrough. The authority will manage infrastructure, navigational access, and sand and sediment movement, with $35.6 million in government funding over three years.

Who it affects

Sunshine Coast boaters, fishers, marine businesses, and tourism operators gain a single coordinating body for waterway management. Local residents get a dedicated authority to engage with on waterway issues, with mandatory public consultation built into its planning processes.

Key changes

Creates the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority as a statutory body with a 7-member board appointed by the Governor in Council
Requires the SCWA to develop a 10-year waterways management strategy and rolling 4-year programs, with mandatory public and council consultation
Transfers management of the Mooloolaba State managed boat harbour from the State to the SCWA on commencement
Makes the SCWA the default manager for public marine facilities in or adjacent to Sunshine Coast waterways
Gives the SCWA power to set up aids to navigation and provide marine pollution reception facilities in Sunshine Coast waterways

How this affects you

Environment

•A dedicated authority will monitor and manage sand and sediment movement in Sunshine Coast waterways and along the adjacent coastClause 12(d)The SCWA's functions include monitoring and managing the movement of sand or sediment in the Sunshine Coast waterways and in coastal waters or on land adjacent to those waterways.
•The 10-year waterways management strategy must consider benefits and impacts on the local environmentClause 14(2)(b)(ii)The strategy must identify needs and priorities having regard to benefits for and impacts on the local environment.
•The authority does not pay royalties on sand or sediment it removes during dredging if it disposes of the material under environmental controlsClause 60The authority is not liable to pay royalties or similar charges for extractive material removed in exercising a power under this Act if disposed of in an approved area under environmental controls.

Regional Queensland

•Sunshine Coast communities gain a single authority dedicated to their waterways instead of relying on multiple agencies and councilsClause 8The Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority is established to plan for and facilitate the sustainable use, management and development of Sunshine Coast waterways.
•Three local councils — Moreton Bay City, Noosa Shire, and Sunshine Coast Regional — must be consulted on waterway strategy and programsClause 15(2)(d)In developing a waterways management strategy, the authority must consult with the Moreton Bay City Council, the Noosa Shire Council, and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
•The $35.6 million funding commitment will support waterway management in the Sunshine Coast region over three yearsExplanatory NotesAn approved government funding allocation of $35.6 million over three years is expected to cover establishment costs and core operations.

Government & Elections

•A new statutory body is created with a board, CEO, and staff under a governance framework including financial accountability and anti-corruption oversightClause 11The authority is a statutory body under the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, and a unit of public administration under the Crime and Corruption Act 2001.
•The Minister must review the authority's operations every three years to check its performance and whether its functions remain appropriateClause 68The Minister must review the operation of the authority every 3 years, including a review of whether the functions remain appropriate for giving effect to the purpose of this Act.

Bill Story

The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.

Introduced4 Mar 2026View Hansard

First Reading4 Mar 2026View Hansard

▸Committee4 Mar 2026View Hansard

Referred to State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee

State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committeeportfolio

6 members · Chair: Jim McDonald

Committee Inquiry

Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026(bill)

Committee Report17 Apr 2026

Committee report tabled

▸Second Reading13 May 2026View Hansard

That the bill be now read a second time

Party Vote

Vote to advance the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026 past its second reading to the consideration in detail stage, resolved in the affirmative under standing order 106(10).

Passed2026-05-14

The motion passed.

What is a party vote?

This was a party vote. Each party's Whip declared how their members voted without a physical count, so individual votes were not recorded. Party votes are used when all members of a party are expected to vote the same way.

In Detail

▸Third Reading14 May 2026View Hansard

That the bill be now read a third time

Party Vote

Final passage vote on the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026, resolved in the affirmative under standing order 106(10).

Passed2026-05-14

The motion passed.

What is a party vote?

Royal Assent

Referenced Entities

Sectors Affected

Water Resources Local Government Tourism Maritime

Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards

Related Budget Measures

Sunshine Coast Waterways AuthorityenablesDepartment of Transport and Main Roads

QLD 2025-26 →

Source Documents

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