Community
Meet the Board
The Board is committed to setting priorities locally. Meet The Board sessions are held regularly throughout the Gold Coast to provide community members with the opportunity to provide their input on planning for the waterways now and into the future. According to the...
Marinas19 set to anchor on the Gold Coast
In less than two weeks, marina operators and users will descend on the Gold Coast for the Marinas19 International Conference and Trade Exhibition. We’re excited to partner with Marinas19 to promote best practice in managing our beautiful waterways. “On the Gold Coast,...
Coomera River (South Branch) Speed Limit Trial – Frequently Asked Questions
The Coomera River (South Branch) is a community asset which forms part of our waterways network, supporting vital activities like marine industry, recreation and tourism. Boating is encouraged and there are many different types of boats and vessels using the river....
Have Your Say on the Coomera River Speed Trial (South Branch) – Survey
In July 2018, GCWA commenced a 12-month speed limit trial on the Coomera River (South Branch). Provision for the trial is set out in the Speed Limits and Behaviour Management Strategy 2018-2020 approved by the GCWA Board. The Strategy is a result of community...
Year in Review – 2018 – Shaping our waterways
2018 has been a busy year - read all about what we've done to continue to improve access to and management of our waterways here
Application for Permit to Occupy Doug Jennings Park
GCWA_DJPApplicationForm_20171115
Who’s Who in the Blue?
At the Gold Coast Waterways Authority, we're determined to not get tied up with red tape or give members of the public the run around on waterways management questions. We know that governance of Gold Coast waterways can often be complex and confusing and that it is...
High Tech Movable Cameras to Bust Boatie Hoons
High Tech Movable Cameras to Bust Boatie Hoons Dodgy boaties are getting busted on the Gold Coast, with authorities employing a range of surveillance techniques to keep law abiding seafarers safe. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a...
Latest News
Court supports Wave Break Island clean-up
With the busy summer season approaching, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is reminding visitors to Wave Break Island that the popular Broadwater destination is for day use only. The reminder comes after GCWA recently succeeded in obtaining a court order to...
Annual Report Now Available Online
Did you know that our Sand Bypass System pumped 664,847 cubic metres of sand north of Seaway to keep waterways safe and navigable and that we maintained more than 2000 buoys, beacons and signs last year? This is all part of the work we do to Sustain, Enhance and...
Iconic Gold Coast Sand Bypass System making the most of solar power
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority has taken further steps to improve the operation of the iconic Sand Bypass System at The Spit, using a pilot solar array to help meet the operation’s day-time energy needs. The Sand Bypass System is a critical component of the Gold...
Waterways users study key to future planning
Building a better understanding of movements on the city’s waterways network will help the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) improve planning to accommodate a growing population and rising boat ownership. CEO Hal Morris said an initial study undertaken by GCWA was...
New speed limits enhance Coomera River access
Access to the Coomera River and the broader waterways network will be enhanced by new speed limits being set by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) using data gathered during a 12-month speed limits trial, stakeholder engagement and strong community feedback....
Dredging workshop aims to maximise benefits for Gold Coast
The Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) is working with potential users of its Coomera Dredge Sediment Management Facility to maximise economic and community benefits for the Gold Coast. The GCWA convened a workshop today with representatives from the Gold Coast...
Dredging campaign channels support for major industries
Our dredging campaign in the Coomera River, which is supporting safe and navigable waterways access for the Gold Coast’s multi-billion-dollar tourism and marine industries, has passed the half-way mark. The dredging of an 8 kilometre stretch of the river from Shipper...
Big Bird’s take-off escalates Gold Coast climate change research
Research into the impacts of wild weather and climate change on the Gold Coast is being stepped up with the launch of a bright yellow monitoring buoy nicknamed ‘Big Bird’. ‘Big Bird’s’ launch formally marks the establishment of the Coastal Engineering Research Field...
Project News
South Wave Break Island Dredging Project 2019 – Frequently Asked Questions
Following the successful competition of our Coomera River dredging campaign, we’re getting ready to start our next dredging project. As part of our Waterways Management Program, we will be dredging the South Wave Break Island Channel to ensure safe and navigable...
Major Coomera River dredging campaign complete
A major dredging campaign has been completed in the Coomera River, supporting safe and navigable waterways access for the Gold Coast’s multi-billion-dollar recreation, tourism and marine industries, including superyachts. The campaign was made possible by the...
Alberton Pontoon improves access to waterways network
Our new pontoon at Alberton is officially open, giving boaties more options for accessing our beautiful waterways network. We’ve invested $380,000 in the new pontoon and flood resistant boat queuing facility built next to the Alberton boat ramp at Alberton on the...
Coomera River Project backs major marine industry
Our multi-million dollar dredging program and sediment management facility will support tourism, jobs and businesses in the Gold Coast Marine Industry Precinct by improving navigational access to the Coomera River. Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey,...
Dredging to keep lower Coomera River open and safe for boaties
Dredging is underway in the Coomera River between Sovereign Islands and Sanctuary Cove to keep the navigation channel open and safe for boaties. The lower Coomera River project is part of our $15 million, 4-year investment in waterways dredging. The Coomera River is...
Osprey Nesting Platform installed at Palm Beach
As part of our plan for managing the waterways environment, a new Osprey nesting platform has been installed on the foreshore at Palm Beach. The platform replaces a nest which had been naturally built by Osprey on a navigation beacon at the entrance to Currumbin...
Canaipa Passage dredging complete
Great news for our northern waterways with the completion of the Canaipa Passage dredging project in time for the busy summer season. The Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) has invested $500,000 in maintaining safe navigational access to the important link between...
Completing the missing links in the Broadwater
As part of the big picture solution to improve channel options, new navigation aid buoys have been established on the western side of the Broadwater. This is in line with a key action of the 10 year Waterways Management Strategy - enhancing the waterways by...