Waterways – Ownership & Maintenance

Land Tenure of Canal

The canal system is Crown Land dedicated as reserve and under the control of Noosa Council as trustee.

While Council is responsible for the canal system generally, the responsibilities for some activities lie with the State – local government gets its powers from State legislation and, where the legislation does not provide for local government to have its own laws (local law or bylaw) for a specific activity, local government cannot introduce separate laws to try and control or manage that activity. Examples where local government cannot introduce its own laws include – fishing, speed limits on waterways, environmental pollution.

How the water is maintained in the canal

The water in the canal is from the river system and is pumped via an underground salinity line from the jetty on the Noosa River just off Chaplin Park (about 75 metres north of the western bank of the Noosa Waters entrance channel).

Pumping generally occurs for approximately 10 hours a day (between 9 pm and 7 am) with almost 17 million litres of water pumped through the system. At this rate the water in the canal system is turned over about every 38 days. Pumping is confined to these periods to minimise electricity costs and greenhouse emissions.

If necessary, pumping could occur 24 hours per day, which would result in all the water being turned over in approximately 16 days.

Water quality

Regular testing is carried out to ensure that the water quality meets requirements for recreational purposes and is in accordance with a program designed as part of the development approval process.

In addition, the Residents Association also runs a voluntary Water Watch Program in conjunction with Council. Council provides Association-approved volunteers with pool scoops and bins to remove floating debris from the waterway – particularly in corners where debris can accumulate.

Residents can help maintain water quality by:

• Using a grass catcher and ensuring that grass clippings do not end up in the waterway either directly from their water frontages or indirectly from grass clippings.

• Minimising grass clippings from lawn mowing being left in the kerb & channel as they end up in the canal via the stormwater drainage system.

Persons wishing to participate in the Association’s Water Watch activities, should contact the Noosa Waters Residents’ Association direct.

Fishing, Sharks & Related Activity

Issues related to “fisheries” such as crab pots, netting, spear fishing, fish traps and the like come under the jurisdiction of the Boating & Fisheries Patrol. Local government has no power to control any matter that comes under the jurisdiction of the Fisheries Act.

While crab pots are allowed, they must not cause a hazard to navigation and must be clearly marked with the owner’s name and address. For further details contact Boating & Fisheries office.

Sharks are natural inhabitants of Queensland waterways and it has been confirmed that sharks exist in Noosa Waters. Common sense should be used in deciding where to swim in all Queensland waters. Any alleged shark sightings in Noosa Waters will be referred to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council as the responsible authority. Please note date, time, location and approximate size.

Boat Ramp in Waterside Court

There is a boat ramp located off the park in Waterside Crt but it is strictly for use by Council or its agents to carry out maintenance activities. The ramp is not available for use by the general public, including residents of the Estate.

Access to Lock & Weir

The function of the lock and weir is to maintain a constant water level in the canal system (approx. 400mm above mean sea level) independent of the high and low tides which occur in the river, and to provide for travel by marine vessels between the river and canal system.

Council manages access to the lock and weir system and access is via an electronic card with a reader located near the lock gates.

The largest vessel that the lock can safely accommodate is 12m (39 ft) in length and 3.6m (12 ft) wide.

Waterfront property owners pay a special rate to Council to cover the cost of administration, operation and maintenance of the lock and weir.

Commercial access for conduct of river cruises and tours is not permitted under the Land Act as commercial use of public land is prohibited.

Maintenance of Lock & Weir

The special rate levied on waterfront properties is used to maintain the lock and weir and associated infrastructure for pumping water from the river to the canal.

A total asset management plan was developed to identify the costs and timelines for maintenance events and the plan is reviewed approximately every 5 years in conjunction with the Residents Association.

Funds raised from the special rate are placed in trust to provide for major capital replacements and maintenance events (e.g. replacement of pumps).

Major maintenance of the lock and weir requires the system to be closed. This occurs approximately every 10 years with closure lasting approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Advance notice is provided and the work is timed in winter when the least inconvenience is caused to vessel owners.