Public Hearing Today for Landmark Sunshine Coast Waterways Bill

State Committee Convenes on Coast for Waterways Authority Inquiry

The Queensland Parliament’s State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee is scheduled to hold a crucial public hearing today, Wednesday, 1 April 2026, regarding the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026. The session represents a significant milestone in the legislative process to establish a dedicated statutory body for the region’s marine assets.

The proposed legislation, introduced by Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg, aims to create the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA). If passed, the new body will take over the long-term management, dredging, and infrastructure maintenance of local waterways stretching from the Pumicestone Passage in the south to the Noosa lakes in the north, including the Noosa, Maroochy, and Mooloolah rivers.

Establishing Local Control

The hearing today provides an opportunity for local stakeholders and community members to provide input on the Bill’s objectives. Key items on the agenda for the SCWA include:

• Strategic planning and development of a comprehensive waterways management strategy.
• Installation and maintenance of public marine infrastructure, such as boat ramps and navigational aids.
• Management of sand and sediment movement to ensure safe passage for vessels.
• Oversight of the Mooloolaba State Managed Boat Harbour.

The State Government has already committed approximately $35.6 million over the next three years to support the establishment and initial operations of the authority. The committee is expected to consider how the SCWA will collaborate with the Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council to ensure a streamlined approach to maritime safety and environmental protection.

Council Advocacy and Regional Support

While the State committee focuses on the waterways, the Sunshine Coast Council has remained active on several other critical fronts this week. Yesterday, Mayor Rosanna Natoli welcomed a major boost to frontline homelessness services in Nambour. The initiatives, announced in partnership with the State Government, follow extensive advocacy from the Council’s Nambour Homelessness Response Forum.

Mayor Natoli noted that the delivery of social housing and temporary supported accommodation in Nambour is a vital first step in addressing the region's housing crisis. The Council is also continuing to monitor the progress of generational infrastructure projects, including early works on the Mooloolah River Interchange and the expansion of the regional transport network known as "The Wave."

Public proceedings for the Waterways Bill hearing will be recorded, with the committee due to table its final report by mid-April. Today’s session serves as the final round of regional consultation before the legislation returns to the House for further debate.