A recent study has identified a demand for boat ramps across the Noosa region, with a raft of “priority projects” recommended to promote better access to the local river system.
The findings of the study were recently delivered in a report to Noosa Council. It examined local demand for recreational boating facilities, identified shortfalls in facilities to meet demand and recommended upgrade opportunities to several sites along the Noosa River.
Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) commissioned the Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study, which will aim to help inform decision-making for the next 20 years.
According to the study, Noosa has the highest per capita registration of small vessels (less than 4.5m in length) in south-east Queensland.
It also has the second highest per capita registration of trailable vessels (less than 8m in length) in south-east Queensland.
Meanwhile, independent boat counts on the Noosa River undertaken by council in 2006 and 2021 indicated growth of boats in the Noosa River of 1.3 per cent per year in the period, and 20 per cent overall.
There are 4688 vessels registered within the Noosa Shire local government area defined as being ‘trailable’ and therefore requiring boat launching facilities, according to the study.
Related story: Frustration builds over trailers in holiday street
Boat launching facilities can include boat ramps, queuing facilities such as floating walkways, pontoons, beaches and fixed sloping walkways, plus the provision of car-trailer unit (CTU) parking.
Noosa Shire currently has nine boat-launching facilities, which includes 12 boat ramps.
The study identifies seven priority projects to future-proof demand forecasts.
This includes boat ramp upgrades at the existing Thomas Street ramp at Noosaville and at Lake Street, Hilton Esplanade and Moorindil Street ramps at Tewantin.
Suggested projects also include a new boat ramp for Chaplin Park, Noosaville, and a new pontoon at Noosa Woods, while it recommended to replace an existing jetty at Gympie Terrace with a new pontoon.
A Noosa Council recommendation presented at a Services and Organisation Committee meeting on June 6 noted that while the majority of the projects had “merit for consideration”, several factors needed to be made.
“Whilst the study is timely due to increasing demand, a number of concerns are raised in regard to the lack of a regional approach, lack of consideration of contemporary parking and river demand management to increase capacity, as well as concerns for the funding model,” the recommendation stated.
“Six of the projects have merit for further consideration and/or require redesign to achieve quality outcomes for the Noosa River foreshore.
“It is recommended that (the) Chaplin Park boat ramp be rejected outright due to inconsistency with the Noosaville Foreshore Land Use Master Plan, impacts on the parkland and community expectations.”
The recommendation was then referred to the June 12 General Committee meeting, where councillors unanimously agreed on seven points of formal feedback for MSQ.
This included noting council’s appreciation for MSQ and the Department of Transport and Main Roads in commissioning the investigation to respond to increasing demand for recreational boating facilities.
Council said it would welcome further discussions with MSQ to support placement of the projects and welcome initiation of planning processes jointly with MSQ and TMR to upgrade facilities.
However, council will reject the Chaplin Park proposal and raise concerns for the “unrealistic” increase in car and trailer parking capacity indicated in the study due to traffic, landscape and environmental impact.
In relation to the “lack of regional approach”, the council will raise concerns that “the Noosa River system is a relatively small system compared to other regional water bodies and may not have the capacity to accommodate statistical growth”.
Another topic of discussion is regarding funding. According to the council recommendation, the study does not include provisions relating to funding proposed facilities, many of which include improvements to onshore parking.
“Under longstanding arrangements, TMR only fund and build the in-water components of a facility and seek councils and other port/water authorities to fund and provide the land-based components, and then manage the whole facility when completed,” it noted.
“Discussions with TMR representatives indicate no change from that position and they would be seeking Noosa Council to fund the on-shore components of all projects, with TMR funding limited to over-water pontoons and boat ramps.
“Upgrades to on-shore boat ramp facilities are currently not included in council’s forward planning capital works program, and would need new and additional budget allocation.”
Further, the council notes it is proposing to initiate a parking study in the upcoming 2023-24 financial year that will include examination of car and trailer parking at and near boat ramps.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
