Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026

Stated the opposition will not oppose the bill but criticised it heavily for failing to define sustainability, not recognising Ramsar/EPBC obligations, and lacking proper consultation with the community and the Kabi Kabi people.

“The opposition will not oppose this bill. We recognise the importance of coordinated waterways management ... but we will not pretend this bill is anywhere near perfect because it is far from it.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, moved the second reading, presenting the bill as delivery of the government's election commitment to establish a statutory authority for coordinated, sustainable management of Sunshine Coast waterways.

“The bill delivers the Crisafulli government's election commitment to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority. It represents our commitment to the sustainable management of local waterways, enabling greater local input into waterway management.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Strongly supported the bill as a fulfilment of a Crisafulli government election commitment, arguing it brings clarity and coordination to waterways management and addresses long-neglected issues in the Pumicestone Passage and Mooloolah River.

“It is such a pleasure to speak to the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026 because this was an election commitment the LNP made during the October 2024 election.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

Heavily criticised the bill for a lack of community and Kabi Kabi consultation, absence of local government and First Nations representation on the board, jurisdictional uncertainty and duplication, while reflecting Labor's stated position of not opposing the bill.

“With so many flaws, questions and duplications, the Crisafulli LNP government has failed to make the case on why this authority should be established.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Raised robust concerns about the $35.6 million cost, lack of consultation with Noosa, absence of environmental and sustainability definitions, board composition and the risk of adding bureaucracy, while urging the new authority to address community needs and provide dedicated funding for Noosa.

“Spending $35.6 million of taxpayers’ money on a new level of bureaucracy calls for robust questions.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

As committee chair, supported the bill, defending the skills-based independent board over local government representation and arguing the authority will remove the blame game between state and local government over waterways management.

“For that reason I am pleased to have not made further recommendations in this report other than that the bill be passed.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as necessary to provide coordinated oversight of waterways, citing safety failures at the Mooloolah River and Mooloolaba harbour entrance under former Labor governments and the need for a connected, skills-based board.

“I commend this legislation to the House, because it does not stop here ... That is why I commend this legislation to the House.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

Stated Labor would not oppose the bill but raised submitters' concerns over lack of local and First Nations representation, weak environmental and cumulative-impact safeguards, undefined 'sustainable use', and doubts about value for the $36 million cost.

“The Labor opposition is not going to oppose this bill, but we do believe these questions deserve answers tonight.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Did not oppose the bill but set out a series of failures: lack of consultation with First Nations and the public, failure to consider federal environmental legislation, no definition of sustainability, and inadequate budgeting for dredging costs.

“What I kept seeing when we looked at this process was a failure to plan properly, a failure to consult, a failure to take on board what the people want in the area and a failure to adequately budget for their operations.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

Supported the bill, detailing the authority's statutory structure, the skills-based seven-member board, its functions and the $35.6 million funding, arguing a statutory body model is the best vehicle for sustainable waterways management.

“I rise to speak in support of the bill to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority, or SCWA.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Spoke in strong support, arguing the bill ends decades of fragmented responsibility and inaction over the Pumicestone Passage and the Bribie Island breakthrough and delivers coordinated, long-term waterways management for Caloundra.

“I rise today in strong support of the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026. I do so with real pride, because for Caloundra this bill matters deeply.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

As a committee member, gave the government the benefit of the doubt on the bill's intent while criticising the lack of consultation, absence of council and Kabi Kabi board representation, no definition of sustainability, and Ramsar wetland risks.

“Even though the stakeholders did not agree with a lot of the bill, I sincerely hope this authority works out for the Sunshine Coast and does some good.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Acknowledged reform is needed but held serious concerns about governance and board representation, limited consultation, inadequate recognition of First Nations and environmental protections, the undefined term sustainability, and the risk of creating another bureaucratic layer.

“While the stated intent of this bill is commendable, the opposition holds serious concerns about whether it will truly deliver the outcomes communities have been calling for and whether it does so in a balanced and accountable way.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

Supported the bill as a practical fix to fragmented waterways management, contrasting the government's action on the Bribie Island breakthrough and Mooloolah River shoaling with what he characterised as Labor's prior inaction.

“This bill creates the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority, a move that provides a practical fix to a complex problem.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Supported the bill, arguing it fixes fragmented, reactive waterways management with a dedicated coordinating body, a 10-year strategy, clearer roles alongside MSQ and a balance between recreational use and environmental protection.

“I speak today in support of the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026. This is an important bill for not just the Sunshine Coast but also every community that depends on healthy, accessible and well-managed waterways.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

Confirmed the opposition would not oppose the bill but, as shadow environment minister, criticised the absence of consultation with the Kabi Kabi people and the public, lack of guaranteed local and First Nations board representation, and insufficient environmental safeguards.

“At the outset I acknowledge, as indicated by those who have spoken before me, that the opposition will not be opposing this bill.”— 2026-05-13View Hansard

Supported the bill as essential to replace fragmented responsibility with a dedicated authority, citing congestion and derelict vessels on the Noosa River, shoaling at Mooloolaba and the Bribie Island breakthrough as evidence of the need for coordinated management.

“That is why the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026 is so important. This bill recognises something very simple: our waterways are too important to be managed through fragmented responsibility and bureaucratic overlap.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard

As Minister for Transport and Main Roads, summed up the debate in reply, defending the bill against consultation and environmental concerns, noting existing Native Title, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and EPBC protections continue to apply, and that the authority is modelled on the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

“This bill represents a significant step forward in recognising the importance of protecting and enhancing the unique environmental, economic and recreational value of the Sunshine Coast’s waterways.”— 2026-05-14View Hansard