Celebrating a decade of Gold Coast waterways management
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is approaching the end of our tenth year of guiding the responsible and sustainable management of Gold Coast Waterways.
The GCWA was established in December 2012 by the Queensland Government through the Gold Coast Waterways Authority Act 2012.
With the responsibility for a waterways network that stretches from Jumpinpin in the north, to Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks in the South, GCWA has worked in partnership with the community, industry, and partner agencies.
Over the past decade GCWA has delivered:
- An extensive capital works program to upgrade and deliver new boating facilities like boat ramps and pontoons.
- The development and implementation of The Spit Master Plan in partnership with the Queensland Government.
- Effective management of our waterways maintaining navigable aids, dredging to maintain navigable channels, and operating the Gold Coast Sand Bypass System at Main Beach.
- Supporting safe and equitable use of our waterways through managing anchoring and mooring, permitting of aquatic events, setting and reviewing speed limits, management of abandon vessels and first response for vessel-related oil spills.
Looking forward, GCWA is guided by the Gold Coast Waterways Management Strategy 2021-2030. This strategy is intended to provide direction for all stakeholders involved in waterway management or activities that may affect waterway conditions.
For the next decade the vision of GCWA is to be a Waterways City. To achieve this there are three focus areas to ensure the Gold Coast continues to embrace our waterways as it embraces the opportunity to be a waterways city – access, connections and destinations.
To further understand the uniqueness of the waterways, GCWA will develop a Place Strategy to inform effective place-based planning outcomes. The Place Strategy will be developed in consultation the with community, and draw together important information about the economic, social, and environmental values of our waterways. This strategy will ensure effective and sustainable management of Gold Coast waterways.
