2026
A Bill
for
An Act to establish the Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority,
and to amend this Act, the Public Sector Act 2022, the Transport
Infrastructure Act 1994, the Transport Operations (Marine
Pollution) Act 1995 and the Transport Operations (Marine
Safety) Act 1994 for particular purposes
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Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026
Part 1 Preliminary
The Parliament of Queensland enacts—
Part 1 Preliminary
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Sunshine Coast Waterways
Authority Act 2026.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on a day to be fixed by proclamation.
3 Main purpose of Act
The main purpose of this Act is to establish the Sunshine
Coast Waterways Authority to strategically plan for and
facilitate the sustainable use, management and development
of the Sunshine Coast waterways.
4 Relationship with other Acts
(1) This Act does not affect the operation of the following Acts—
(a) the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games
Arrangements Act 2021;
(b) the Economic Development Act 2012;
(c) the Fisheries Act 1994;
(d) the Marine Parks Act 2004;
(e) the Maritime Safety Queensland Act 2002;
(f) the Nature Conservation Act 1992;
(g) the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006;
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Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority Bill 2026
Part 1 Preliminary
(h) the State Development and Public Works Organisation
Act 1971;
(i) the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994;
(j) the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995;
(k) the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act 1994.
(2) Also, this Act does not affect the functions or obligations of a
local government under the following Acts—
(a) the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995;
(b) the Local Government Act 2009;
(c) the Planning Act 2016.
5 Act binds all persons
(1) This Act binds all persons, including the State.
(2) However, the State can not be prosecuted for an offence
against this Act.
6 Definitions
The dictionary in schedule 1 defines particular words used in
this Act.
7 Meaning of Sunshine Coast waterways
The Sunshine Coast waterways are all of the following
waterways below the high water mark—
(a) Castaways Creek;
(b) Lake Cooroibah;
(c) Lake Cootharaba;
(d) Cornmeal Creek;
(e) Currimundi Creek;
(f) Lake Doonella;
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Part 2 Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority
(g) Keyser Channel;
(h) the Maroochy River;
(i) the Mooloolah River;
(j) the Noosa River, and adjoining waterways, to the extent
the waterways are within the local government area of
the Noosa Shire Council;
(k) Pumicestone Channel (commonly known as
Pumicestone Passage), and adjoining waterways, north
of a line from latitude 27º06' south on the mainland
shore to South Point on Bribie Island;
(l) Stumer Creek;
(m) Tooway Creek;
(n) Lake Weyba;
(o) Weyba Creek;
(p) waterways adjoining the waterways stated in paragraphs
(a) to (i) and (l) to (o).
Part 2 Sunshine Coast Waterways
Authority
Division 1 Establishment
8 Establishment
The Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority is established.
9 Legal status
The authority—
(a) is a body corporate; and
(b) has perpetual succession; and
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Part 2 Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority
(c) has a seal; and
(d) may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
10 Authority represents the State
(1) The authority represents the State.
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the authority has the status,
privileges and immunity of the State.
11 Application of other Acts
The authority is—
(a) a statutory body under the Financial Accountability Act
2009; and
(b) a statutory body under the Statutory Bodies Financial
Arrangements Act 1982; and
Note—
The Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982, part 2B
sets out the way that Act affects the authority’s powers.
(c) a unit of public administration under the Crime and
Corruption Act 2001.
Division 2 Functions and powers
12 Functions
The authority has the following functions—
(a) to plan strategically for the management of the Sunshine
Coast waterways by developing—
(i) a waterways management strategy; and
(ii) a waterways management program;
(b) to install, manage and maintain infrastructure for the
Sunshine Coast waterways;
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Part 2 Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority
(c) to manage navigational access to, and within, the
Sunshine Coast waterways;
(d) to monitor and manage the movement of sand or
sediment—
(i) in the Sunshine Coast waterways; and
(ii) in coastal waters, or on land, adjacent to the
Sunshine Coast waterways for managing the
Sunshine Coast waterways;
(e) to perform any other function given to it under this Act
or another Act.
13 Powers
(1) The authority has the powers of an individual and may, for
example—
(a) acquire, hold, dispose of or deal with property; or
(b) appoint agents and attorneys; or
(c) engage consultants; or
(d) enter into contracts, joint ventures and commercial
arrangements; or
(e) do anything else necessary or convenient to be done in
the performance its functions.
(2) Also, the authority has the powers given to it under this Act or
another Act.
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