CANAL SYSTEM AND LOCK & WEIR

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 is the water 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 approx 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.

Coast Guard Media Release (28 Nov 2008)
Boat Owners Should Prepare For Storm Season

Alleged Shark Sightings in Noosa Waters Canals

Noosa Waters Residents Association (NWRA) and its elected officers receive reports of a "shark sighting" in the canals at intervals. These reports have recently been at an increased level and have included details suggesting that such reports need to be taken seriously.

More info...

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 Association direct.

Lock and weir system

Access to lock and levy

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 (35 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.

For practical reasons, the only persons who can reasonably gain access through the lock and weir are owners of waterfront property. However, as the canal is public land, any member of the public wishing to use the waterway for private recreational activities, can obtain access through the lock and weir system provided they pay all special levies or rates to cover the cost of the administration, operation and maintenance of the lock, weir and Noosa Waters canal system, together with any additional fees and charges which apply to the provision of an access card to the lock.

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 and 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.

Mooring of vessels in entrance channel between the Noosa River and the lock

Any enquiries should be directed to Queensland Transport Maritime Division with Boating & Fisheries Patrol having jurisdiction for enforcement of any restrictions that may apply.

The only circumstance where Council can take action is if a marine vessel is tied to Council property e.g. in the entrance channel or at the water frontage to a park or reserve and the vessel is tied up or anchored to any part of the lock and weir structure, a railing, to the revetment wall, or the adjacent parkland.

As the land and structures are Council property, the anchoring of a vessel in this manner is not a permitted use of public land. Any concerns or enquiries may be directed to Council's Public Order & Safety Section.

Boat ramp in Waterside Court

There is a boat ramp located off the park in Waterside Court 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.

Boat speeds

There is a 4-knot speed limit in the Noosa Waters canal system with a "NO WASH" requirement to prevent damage to revetment walls. The speed limit comes under the Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Act & Regulations with enforcement under the jurisdiction of the Boating & Fisheries Patrol.

Residents should report their concerns directly to the Boating & Fisheries Patrol Office at Russell St, Noosaville (near the Munna Point Caravan Park).

Fishing, sharks and related activities

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 is therefore possible that sharks exist in Noosa Waters. Residents may wish to consider that in the 16 years since the canals were completed, no person or animal has been reported as attacked and no shark has been caught. 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.

Revetment walls and drainage system

The revetment wall forms part of the property title and is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain. There is a drainage system incorporated into the wall including a special membrane (filter) on the property side of the wall and seep holes through to the canal. It is important that the membrane is not damaged and that the seep holes are not obstructed.

The main cause of potential damage to the membrane is tree roots and excavation/digging adjacent to the wall. If the membrane is damaged it will result in water and soil discharging through the seep holes into the canal. Evidence of damage to the membrane may include subsidence of the soil adjacent to the revetment wall or small mounds of soil being deposited into the canal adjacent to the revetment wall. If this occurs urgent repairs should be undertaken with advice from a qualified person.

Damage to the membrane is likely to result in adverse environmental impacts on the waterway and potential for serious property damage. A full description can be found here.

Jetties and boat lifting devices

The construction of jetties is covered by Planning Scheme policy - refer to Council's Land Use Section for details.