Noosa 360

Further to an earlier update outlining the Noosa River Marine Zone restrictions impacting jet ski usage in the Noosa River or Personal Watercraft (PWC) as they are referred to, the following information is provided to clarify Queensland regulations as our office continues to receive complaints regarding possible unlawful or unsafe use in our area.  

 First, to recap the previous update which you can read in full at https://sandybolton.com/noosa-river-marine-zone/, Marine Zone restrictions are in place for Noosa River that control PWC use as well other activities such as waterskiing and sea planes etc. PWCs are permitted to transit within the river channel, within and downstream of Noosa Waters and Noosa Sound to the river mouth, to access the open ocean. They are not permitted for use within the Noosa River apart from transiting to the river mouth. The full Marine Zone information is available at www.msq.qld.gov.au/Waterways/Marine-zones  

The most frequent complaints we receive are in relation to speed and proximity to swimmers, dolphins or whales.  

 SPEED AND SWIMMERS 

PWCs must follow regular speed limits as other vessels but also have some other speed and distance related restrictions to adhere to.  

• You must reduce your speed to no more than 6 knots if you are within 60 metres of: 

⁃ People in the water 

⁃ Anchored or moored boats, structures, boat ramps, jetties or pontoons 

⁃ The boundary of a bathing reserve (Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach. Maps available at https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/community/documents/local-laws/subordinate_local_law_no_6__bathing_reserves__2015.pdf 

⁃ The shore 

• You must keep a distance of 30 metres from any other moving vessel or reduce your speed to less than 10 knots unless you’re involved in an approved aquatic event or where doing so would endanger you or another person 

• In coastal waters, freestyling or wave jumping is restricted to: 

⁃ Beyond 200 metres of the shore if homes are within 100 metres of shoreline where you are operating 

DOLPHINS AND WHALES  

Below in italics is an excerpt from information available at https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/discovering-wildlife/watching-wildlife/watching-marine-mammals/rules-for-watching-marine-mammals and we encourage vessel owners to visit the site to read the full information. 

 Rules for watching marine mammals 

There are a number of rules that are in place to make sure marine mammals can live naturally in Queensland waters without being disturbed, while at the same time allowing us to watch them in safety. 

 An explanation of these rules is provided below. A full description of these regulations can be found on the Office of Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website. Penalties apply. 

 Approach distances for whales and dolphins 

Approach distances reduce the risk of disturbing whales or dolphins. They apply to boats (including kayaks and paddle boards), prohibited vessels (e.g. jet skis and hovercraft), aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft (e.g. drones), helicopters and people who are in the water. 

 Approach distances for dugongs only apply where a special management declaration has been made. 

 Approach distances are divided into caution zones and no approach zones. 

 Caution zones 

The caution zone is an area surrounding a whale or dolphin in which boats cannot travel at speeds of more than 6 knots. The caution zone extends out to 300 metres from a whale, and 150 metres for a dolphin. 

 No approach zones 

Within a caution zone there are areas designated as ‘no approach’ zones that boats cannot enter. These are the areas closest to an animal and directly in front of and behind an animal. For a whale, the no approach zone surrounds the animal for 100 metres and extends 300 metres in front of and behind the animal. For dolphins, the no approach zone surrounds the animal for 50 metres and extends 150 metres in front of and behind the animal. 

 Again, PWCs (jet skis) are prohibited vessels and are to maintain 300 metres from both whales and dolphins. 

 NATIONAL PARK PROTECTIONS 

Noosa National Park protections extend to the high tide mark and there are no protections extending to the ocean, nor any Council designated bathing reserves in this area. Therefore, no further restrictions apply in relation to vessels or PWCs around the national park coastline than any other coastal area in Queensland. Due to repeated concerning PWC and vessel behaviours in this area, advocacy is underway to enhance patrols and explore any other regulatory opportunities to strengthen protection for this coastal area and its marine life.  

 COMMERCIAL VESSEL OPERATIONS  

Commercial vessel operations, including jet ski or boat tours, are regulated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), not by state government agencies such as Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), although they must also adhere to many MSQ regulations. 

COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNSAFE OR UNLAWFUL JET SKI USE 

Should you witness unlawful behaviours from vessel operators in this area, whether PWC or boats, report to Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) with as much identifying information as possible via 07 5373 2310 during business hours, or 07 36233900 after hours or email MSQNoosa@tmr.qld.gov.au and copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au   

 However, as it can be difficult to know who has ultimate authority in any given situation when involving a commercial operator or operation, please also notify these to AMSA via https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/incident-reporting#416  

Further information 

For more on Noosa River’s Marine Zone, visit https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/Environment-and-Waste/Environment/Rivers-and-creeks/Noosa-river-marine-zone or https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Waterways/Marine-zones  

 To see PWC regulations in QLD visit https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/safety/personal-watercraft  

 For rules on watching marine mammals rules visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/animals/discovering-wildlife/watching-wildlife/watching-marine-mammals/rules-for-watching-marine-mammals 

 To contact AMSA regarding commercial vessel regulations, licences or operations visit https://www.amsa.gov.au/about/contact-us  

 To contact the Minister for Transport & Main Roads regarding PWC or vessel regulations email transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au  and copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au 

 To contact the Minister for Environment regarding environmental protections email environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au and copy our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au