GCWA sponsorship of ‘Climate Ready Guidebook’ for marinas

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Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) has continued its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship through the sponsorship of a Climate Ready Guidebook for marinas.

At the recent Marina’s24 conference, GCWA proudly announced its sponsorship of the ‘Climate Ready Guidebook’, a publication by the Marina Industries Association (MIA). The guidebook serves as a comprehensive resource to assist marinas in embracing climate resilience strategies and advancing decarbonisation efforts.

During the conference, GCWA’s CEO Chris Derksema presented, sharing of our unwavering dedication to safeguarding the Gold Coast waterways for future generations. Emphasising the critical role of sustainable practices in marine management, Chris Derksema spoke on GCWA’s ongoing initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change and promoted the responsible use of our cities coastal resources.

The Climate Ready Guidebook represents a significant milestone in GCWA’s broader mission to foster environmental sustainability and resilience across the region, while supporting its stakeholders and supply chain in their journey. By supporting the development and distribution of this guidebook, GCWA aims to empower local marinas to implement effective climate adaptation measures and reduce their carbon footprint.

GCWA would like to congratulate MIA for bringing the guidebook to life and are excited to see its widespread use within the local marina community. The organisation also extends its commitment to providing ongoing support and guidance to our local marinas embarking on their climate resilience journey.

For marina operators and stakeholders interested in accessing the Climate Ready Guidebook, it is readily available for download for all MIA members through the MIA website. Further enquiries and feedback can be directed to MIA.

 

GCWA zeros in on climate change targets

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The Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is acting on climate change and investing in projects that support a sustainable future for the Gold Coast’s iconic waterways.

GCWA Chief Executive Officer Chris Derksema said work was already well underway in response to the severity of climate change and its potential impacts to our waterways and community.

“We acknowledge that climate change is the most significant environmental challenge that humans have faced, and we recognise the impacts of increasing global temperatures on climate patterns, extreme weather events, and ecosystems around the world,” Chris Derksema said.

“In response, we are actively mitigating our own climate change impacts and preparing for the future, allowing us to maximise sustainable and resilient waterways services and infrastructure at the same time.

“While we are making a concerted effort to build sustainability into our own operations, we’re also working closely with our suppliers and stakeholders to make improvements where possible.”

Chris Derksema added that the foundations for action had been set by a robust Climate Change Policy which sets clear and achievable targets for GCWA, including the reduction of its greenhouse gas emissions.

“We recently adopted a Climate Change Policy that supports GCWA in better managing the effects of climate change and provides a framework for improved climate-related oversight and governance,” Mr Derksema said.

“The Policy confidently outlines our commitments, including the adoption of carbon emissions reductions targets, and how we’ll integrate climate change into our business operations.”

Key targets and collaborative actions under the GCWA Climate Change Policy include:

  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero scope emissions as soon as possible and preferably by 2025
  • Working with key supply chain areas such as dredge operators and marinas, to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 or sooner
  • Working with staff, contractors, consultants, and the community to raise awareness of our Climate Change Policy
  • Ensuring all GCWA staff undertake climate change awareness training
  • Collaborating with local research organisations and other relevant organisations to raise awareness on climate change impacts relevant to Gold Coast waterways.

Gold Coast Waterways Authority Science and Innovation Advisory Committee

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Are you passionate and motivated to use your knowledge and expertise to help enhance, sustain and promote the Gold Coast waterways?

If you would like to share your expertise in coastal management, planning and marine ecology, and bring strategic advice on scientific, technical and innovation directions for GCWA, we are looking for new members of our Science and Innovation Advisory Committee (SIAC).

SIAC Committee meets four times per year and provides oversight to the implementation of programs under the Environmental Management Framework for managing sand resources in Gold Coast waterways and other matters related to the management of Gold Coast waterways.

Click here to view and fill in the Expression of Interest form and join us in our mission to optimise access to our Waterways City and maximise social, economic, and environmental outcomes.

In accordance with State Government policy, membership of the SIAC will be on an honorary basis with an appointment period of two years.

Expression of Interest close Thursday the 30 June 2022

Landmark light study protects blooming seagrass

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Study into light sensitivity of Gold Coast seagrass meadows to guide improved management

A landmark study into the light sensitivity of Gold Coast seagrass meadows has pinpointed how much light these vital sea life breeding and feeding grounds need to grow and thrive.

The study, undertaken by Griffith University on behalf of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA,) looked at the impacts of light levels on growth and survival rates of seagrass meadows.

Seagrass light sensitivity has been the subject of research on the Great Barrier Reef but hasn’t been investigated on the Gold Coast where seagrass meadows live in different environmental conditions.

The Gold Coast is home to about 1,100 hectares (about 11 square kilometres) of seagrass meadows which provide food and shelter for marine species like dugongs, turtles and seahorses and which stabilise seabeds and shorelines, reducing erosion.

GCWA’s Chair, Mara Bún said seagrass also plays a vital role in responding to climate change because it’s able to store carbon faster than land-based plants making it an effective carbon sink.

‘These green assets contribute to the overall health and natural capital value of our waterways, which has been estimated at $26 billion. They form part of our blue economy which is internationally delivering strong economic value. As a carbon sink seagrass meadow have enormous potential to deliver economic benefits to our waterways city.

‘This study has given us a better understanding of how seagrass responds to light which will help us decide what we need to do to make sure that activities which have the potential to adversely impact seagrass growth are carefully managed to ensure these meadows are protected and nurtured.

‘The study has come up with a recommended minimum number of hours of light exposure needed to maintain seagrass health. Those time periods will vary depending on the location of the seagrass, direct exposure to sunlight and time of day.

‘We’ll work to incorporate those recommendations into activities such as our dredging programs for example, to minimise impacts on seagrass meadows so these marine nurseries are happy and healthy.’

Ms Bún said the inclusion of light sensitivity thresholds adds to other measures GCWA is undertaking to improve seagrass protection including undertaking seagrass surveying and mapping prior to dredging programs commencing and regular water quality monitoring during dredging campaigns.

Griffith University project lead, Professor Rod Connolly, said the research team assessed a range of data points including solar strength, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, boating traffic in areas being studied, water depth, distance from ocean inlets and time of day.

‘Over 9 months of field experiments we took millions of underwater light measurements which scientifically support the new management recommendations’.

Sand Bank Study In Southern Broadwater Supports Better Waterways Management

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We’re conducting a long-term study into the birds and animals living on and within the sand banks of the Southern Broadwater to help with the management of threatened species and support the protection of the Gold Coast’s waterways environmental values.

With the waterways having a natural capital value of $26 billion it’s important to ensure they’re properly managed now and into the future.

We need to adapt our planning practices to manage the likely impacts of climate change and population growth on our waterways so that they remain accessible to our marine and tourism industries and for recreational use.

This study will help us do that by providing valuable base-line data we can feed into management plans and use to assess potential risks to the birds and marine life which call these areas home.

The study will focus on the sand banks near Wave Break and Curlew Islands which have been identified as foraging areas for shorebirds such as the Critically Endangered Eastern Curlew.

This is the first time we’ve done a formal survey of the banks and the creatures living on and within them.

Improving our understanding of these areas gives us the chance to anticipate changes which might be triggered by population growth and climate change and head off any adverse impacts.

We’ve engaged a final-year student to undertake the study as part of our participation in Griffith University’s Industry Affiliates Program.

The Spit Master Plan has identified Wave Break and Curlew Islands as popular recreation areas and we need to ensure that they’re managed in a way that enables people to enjoy them for years to come.

The study will focus on benthic organisms which are organisms living in the sand bank surface down to a depth of about 20 centimetres.

We’re aiming to map the sensitivity of the sandbanks and better understand the ecological processes which take place on them such as the relationship between the marine life in the benthic layer and the numbers of shorebirds and their feeding habits.

Information gathered will also be fed into the GCWA’s Sand Management Plan which determines where and how sand recovered through dredging is used for shoreline replenishment and the impact that process has on creatures living in the benthic layer.

The study will concentrate on:

  • Identifying any invertebrates found in the benthic zone such as worms
  • Examining sediment particles to determine size and how they’re distributed on the banks
  • Counting shorebirds and
  • Reviewing any existing mapping.

It’s anticipated that the study will take place over several years, enabling the GCWA to build up a solid understanding of the ecological significance of the sand banks and adjust their management as needed.

The Economic and Social Values of our waterways

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Our Gold Coast waterways are a mainstay of the Gold Coast’s lifestyle, underpin the Coast’s identity, and provide opportunities for locals and visitors to undertake recreational activities on and beside the waterways. In April 2017, we conducted and reported on the economic and social values of our waterways.

We engaged NCEconomics, an independent consulting firm, to conduct the analysis and to report on the economic and social values of the Gold Coast’s waterways to the community and businesses. We invited the community to contribute to the management of our waterways through an online survey.

The survey covered some basic information about the participant’s households or businesses and their views about our waterways.  The marina and waterway-based tourism industries were of particular interest due to the significant reliance of waterways to underpin businesses, and due to the fact that quality waterways stimulate the purchase and use of vessels of all shapes types and sizes.

Outputs from our study will include developing an economic profile of the marina and waterway-based tourism industries (size, contribution to Gross Regional Product, direct and indirect employment etc.) and insight to better understand the importance of waterways to your industry. Our report will also be publicly available as a resource to industry.

 

GCWA hosts the city’s first ever Resilience Symposium: Gold Coast Waterways 2017 and Beyond

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Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) recognises that the existing values the community places on Gold Coast waterways will be challenged in the future through population growth, a changing climate and other pressures. This acknowledgement led to the development of GCWA’s draft Resilience Plan.

The GCWA was proud to lead the first-ever conversation with the people of the Gold Coast on the long-term future of our waterways ‘Gold Coast Waterways 2017 and Beyond’ was held on the 22nd May 2017 and hosted close to 200 participants from industry, academia, community and business.

We were delighted to welcome a number of key agency speakers including keynote speaker Susanne M. Torriente, Chief Resilience Officer from the City of Miami Beach:

  • David Jenkins, Director, Investment Grade Originations
  • Emma Herd, CEO, Investor Group on Climate Change
  • Professor Rodger Tomlinson Griffith University
  • Jeff Callaghan Retired Senior Forecaster, Bureau of Meterology
  • Dr Richard Fuller Associate Professor in conservation and biodiversity, University of Queensland
  • Dr David Rissik Dep. Director, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Griffith University
  • Dr Kylie Pitt Associate Prof., Griffith School of Environment
  • Dr Mark Gibbs Director, Knowledge to Innovation Institute for Future Environments, IFE Directorate, Queensland University of Technology
  • Jim Binney Natural Capital Economics
  • Naomi Edwards, Griffith University

How would the Gold Coast bounce back from a major weather event such as extreme flooding or a hurricane? What about an event twice the size of ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie? As a water city, we’d all be impacted. Susy addressed lessons from Miami, in particular how Florida coastal cities are building resilience. In the lead up to our resilience symposium, Susy chatted with ABC Gold Coast about what the Gold Coast can learn from the Miami experience.

The full program, which includes detailed information about our speakers, can be accessed here: Program: Gold Coast Waterways 2017 & Beyond

Outcomes from the day will assist in sculpting the Resilience Plan which is expected to go out for public consultation later in 2017.

Event photos

Photo credit: Elise Strålberg, Griffith University and Nicole Munro, GCWA

 

 

Any damaged or missing aids to navigation such as beacons, buoys, markers or signs, should be reported as soon as possible on
07 5539 7350

For community engagement, communications or media enquiries please contact mail@gcwa.qld.gov.au

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Who’s Who in the Blue

Who’s Who in the Blue explains who is responsible for managing, protecting and regulating Queensland’s waterways, particularly on the Gold Coast.

It clarifies agency roles across safety, environmental protection, pollution response, compliance and infrastructure, helping avoid confusion and duplication.

Overall, it’s a quick reference guide that supports coordination, accountability and effective waterway stewardship.

https://gcwa.qld.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Whos-Who-in-the-Blue-v4-004.pdf

Access, Management & Destinations

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    Information on Anchoring & Mooring, Boating, Dredging, Operations Team & Tidal Works

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  • Our Destinations

    GCWA managed multi-use destinations, building infrastructure for commercial and recreation use of Gold Coast waterways.

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional custodians, the Yugambeh peoples of South East Queensland, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra, Bullongin and other clans, and their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their unique and ongoing spiritual and cultural connection with the land and waters of the Gold Coast area.