Committee Details

Committee’s report

The committee tabled its report on Friday, 17 April 2026. The report will be debated in the Legislative Assembly in due course.

View: Report
View: Executive Summary

About the Bill 

On 4 March 2026 the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, introduced the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026 into the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was referred to the State Development, Infrastructure and Works Committee for detailed consideration.   

View: Explanatory speech
View: Bill 
View: Explanatory Notes 
View: Statement of compatibility 

The objective of the Bill is to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority (SCWA) as a statutory body. The Bill provides for the SCWA to be responsible for defined waterways from Pumicestone Passage in the south to the Noosa lakes in the north, including the Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah rivers. The Bill establishes a board for the SCWA as its governing body, and provides for the appointment of a chief executive officer and SCWA staff.

The proposed functions of the SCWA include to: 

• plan strategically for the management of the Sunshine Coast waterways by developing a waterways management strategy, that considers the benefits and impacts for the local community, local environment, and local marine industries, tourism and economy
• develop a waterways management program to implement the waterways management strategy
• install, manage and maintain infrastructure for the Sunshine Coast waterways
• manage navigational access to, and within, the Sunshine Coast waterways
• monitor and manage sand and sediment movement in Sunshine Coast waterways and adjacent coastal waters and land.

The SCWA will be required to consult with the public and with Maritime Safety Queensland and the Moreton Bay, Noosa and Sunshine Coast local governments to develop the waterways management strategy. 

The Bill amends the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994, the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995, the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994, and the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 to confer certain powers on the SCWA. Staff of the SCWA will be employed under the Public Sector Act 2022. It is intended that an amendment regulation will implement components in subordinate legislation, including public marine facilities, including the Mooloolaba boat harbour, buoy mooring, aquatic event approvals, and tidal works development assessment.

Further information

Further information including written briefings, transcripts and submissions will be published, when available, under the Related Publications tab.

Timeline