Noosa Waters Residents Association
Noosa Waters Lock – Resident Operating Instructions
Noosa Waters has a tidal lock system which connects the Noosa River with the non-tidal lake system.
Lock gates may only be operated by security key cards, each of which contains a unique user identity.
Card readers are located at the pontoon (riverside), jetty (lakeside) and at two points on the eastern wall inside the lock.
To operate the gates:
Position the card within 100mm of a card reader until the blue light above it flashes. This will activate a controlled lock sequence lasting about 3 minutes. Once the sequence commences, the card readers will not accept any further directions. Wait for a green light before proceeding into the lock.
If approaching an open gate and the traffic lights are green, proceed inside the lock. There are traffic lights on the approaches to the lock from both directions. For safety of vessels and their occupants, these lights must be strictly obeyed. Entry must only be made into the lock when a green light is displayed.
Once inside the lock, centre the vessel midway between the end gates using the 3 ladders as a guide to positioning.
When the vessel is centrally positioned, position your card at either of the 2 internal control readers.
A controlled lock sequence will close the gates that are currently opened and open the gates at the opposite end. When the lock is fully opened, proceed immediately out of the lock.
Where any following vessel proposes to enter the lock, the first vessel entering the lock must not swipe the card until the following vessel has entered the lock. The second vessel to enter the lock is responsible for beginning the closing procedure. The lock is 16 metres in length and a responsible skipper should take into account the length of his vessel together with the length and any vessel already in the lock before following it into the lock.
Once a vessel is inside the lock and the occupant has swiped a card reader, activating a lock control sequence, the amber warning light will flash for 60 seconds followed by a red light whilst the gates close. Outside vessels should stay clear of the lock during this sequence.
There are safety trip wires on the extremity of each gate – these stop a control sequence if a vessel touches them.
In the event that these are tripped, the gates will re-open and the sequence will stop. Wait 2 to 3 minutes for the controller to reset before attempting to re-activate the gate closing sequence. The blue light above the reader will flash when it acknowledges your instruction to reactivate the sequence. The safety trip wires are very sensitive and easily put out of adjustment, often disabling the lock completely. Extreme care should be taken when navigating past the trip wires to ensure that you do not come in contact. Any impact to these wires with a vessel should be reported to Council immediately.
For safety reasons, the lock gates should not be operated by children.
The computerised lock security system maintains time and date stamped identification details of all lock users. Repeated failure to observe these instructions, hazardous navigation through the lock or display of undue care to these Council assets by users shall result in their security card being voided.
Disclaimer: The information given on this page reflects the design of the Noosa Waters canal, lock and weir system. The Residents Association does not take responsibility for its accuracy. Intending users of the system should make and rely on their own inquiries. Noosa Waters Residents Association members can download a PDF for printing