Boaties are fighting a proposal to permanently put the brakes on vessels in the Noosa River and have called for a compromise.
The State Government has been seeking feedback (which closes on Thursday March 31) to enforce a 6 knot zone from the Thomas Street boat ramp to the river mouth.
Currently the speed limit is 20 knots, but in the past a temporary 6-knot speed limit has been set during peak holiday times.
MSQ recently halved the speed limit in Caloundra’s Pumicestone Passage from 40 knots to 20 knots after a rising tide of complaints about hooning jet skis.
The Noosa Boating Fishing Alliance has begun rallying supporters and will hold a protest on Sunday to ‘SAY NO to 6 knots’.
They want to stop, or amend, any permanent speed limit reduction and say they are “committed to a safe Noosa river with balanced rules for all”.
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“Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has stated this proposal focuses on safety and is concerned with increased river traffic,” said alliance representative Andrew McCarthy.
“Their safety concerns are how different types of watercraft, swimmers, and powerboats interact in three tight areas in the lower river.
“This move will stop large numbers of regular river users enjoying the river safely the way they chose to.
“Slowing boats heading to the river mouth at 6 am is not a safety issue when the river is quiet. The same can be said for late afternoons, evenings and many-core daylight hours in the offseason.”
The boatie group said the river was quiet outside core daylight hours during peak holiday periods (8am to 4 pm).
“No safety concern is solved by slowing boats during these times. They do not agree or support a change that does not improve safety,” said Mr McCarthy.
“It should be said that 20 knots is equivalent to 37kph, which is slower than the reduced speed limit at school zones”.
He said the Noosa Boating Fishing Alliance supported a compromise — timed 6 knot zones in two of the lower river narrow sections.
The group has been gaining momentum and grown to over 500 members in three weeks, with 1425 signatures on the ‘Oppose Noosa 6-knot Limit’ e-petition.
Councillor Amelia Lorentson presented a petition to the Noosa Council General meeting on March 17th.
MSQ extended the public feedback period to March 31.
Noosa River speed rules
Previously, a 6-knot speed limit has been set during peak holiday times from Weyba Creek to the river mouth which the State Government said improved safety.
The new proposal will make this permanent and extend the six-knot zone upstream to the Thomas Street boat ramp.
This is a distance of approximately 1.8 nautical miles (3.3 km) and will apply to all vessels.
The lower reach of the Noosa River is currently subject to a gazetted 20-knot speed limit.
During the Christmas and Easter holiday periods a seasonal 6 knot speed limit applies.
The Noosa River seasonal 6-knot speed limit applies to an area between the port lateral mark adjacent to the intersection of Weyba Road and Gympie Terrace, and the river mouth.
The proposal would permanently apply the current seasonal 6 -knot speed limit and extend the area approximately 600m upstream.
Protest details: NO TO 6 KNOTS
Sunday, March 27 – 2 pm
Tackle World Noosa
