Our Waterways Future

Our Waterways Future

Planning for the Future of Our Waterways

As the Gold Coast continues to grow, so does the popularity—and pressure—on our iconic waterways. With more people living, working, and playing on and around the water, it’s essential we plan for this growth now and into the future.

In 2024, over 1,800 people shared their thoughts on the future of the city’s waterways. Now, we’re inviting you to have your say again as we shape the next stage of Our Waterways Future.

What is Our Waterways Future?

Our Waterways Future is a first-of-its-kind framework being developed by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA). It’s designed to ensure our waterways are well-managed and future-ready—supporting a growing population and evolving community needs over the next 20 years and beyond.

Building on the Gold Coast Waterways Management Strategy 2021–2030, the draft framework provides more detailed direction and supports the development of local waterway plans in high-use areas across the city.

Our Waterways Future will guide investment in transformative projects that aim to:

  • Improve access
  • Enhance user experiences
  • Deepen understanding and appreciation of our waterways

Why It Matters

Planning for the future of our waterways is essential to maintaining the Gold Coast’s world-class coastal lifestyle while accommodating the needs of a thriving, modern city.

The framework focuses on five key factors shaping the future of our waterways:

  • Population Growth
  • Economic Development
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Community Use & Access
  • Place & Landscape

Just as the City of Gold Coast plans for the future use of land, GCWA is planning for the future use and management of our waterways—to ensure they remain vibrant, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come.

Have Your Say

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took part — we received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways.

Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways.

Next steps: We are now analysing the input received and will share a summary of findings and next actions later this year.

Sign Up

Make sure you sign up to our Project Mailing List to receive updates on the project.

Make sure you sign up to our Project Mailing List to receive updates on the project – .

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took part — we received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways.

Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways.

Next steps: We are now analysing the input received and will share a summary of findings and next actions later this year.

Key dates

Engagement period

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part. We received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways. Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways. Next steps: We are now analysing the input received and will share a summary of findings and next actions in 2026.

Draft Our Waterways Future

Our Waterways Futre- DRAFT

Phase 1 Engagement Report

Phase 1 Engagement Report

FAQs

FAQs

Timeline

  •  

    Early 2024

    Phase one consultation and technical studies completed.


    Mid to Late 2024

    Review findings, studies and create proposed future directions.

  •  

    Early 2025

    Draft Our Waterways Future


    Mid 2025

    Phase two consultation

  •  

    2026

    Consultation

    • Commence local waterway plan preparation
    • Commence big ideas implementation
    • Future community consultation

Planning for the Future of Our Waterways

As the Gold Coast continues to grow, so does the popularity—and pressure—on our iconic waterways. With more people living, working, and playing on and around the water, it’s essential we plan for this growth now and into the future.

In 2024, over 1,800 people shared their thoughts on the future of the city’s waterways. Now, we’re inviting you to have your say again as we shape the next stage of Our Waterways Future.

What is Our Waterways Future?

Our Waterways Future is a first-of-its-kind framework being developed by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA). It’s designed to ensure our waterways are well-managed and future-ready—supporting a growing population and evolving community needs over the next 20 years and beyond.

Building on the Gold Coast Waterways Management Strategy 2021–2030, the draft framework provides more detailed direction and supports the development of local waterway plans in high-use areas across the city.

Our Waterways Future will guide investment in transformative projects that aim to:

  • Improve access
  • Enhance user experiences
  • Deepen understanding and appreciation of our waterways

Why It Matters

Planning for the future of our waterways is essential to maintaining the Gold Coast’s world-class coastal lifestyle while accommodating the needs of a thriving, modern city.

The framework focuses on five key factors shaping the future of our waterways:

  • Population Growth
  • Economic Development
  • Environment & Sustainability
  • Community Use & Access
  • Place & Landscape

Just as the City of Gold Coast plans for the future use of land, GCWA is planning for the future use and management of our waterways—to ensure they remain vibrant, accessible, and sustainable for generations to come.

Have Your Say

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took part — we received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways.

Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways.

Sign Up

Make sure you sign up to our Project Mailing List to receive updates on the project.

Make sure you sign up to our Project Mailing List to receive updates on the project – .

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who took part — we received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways.

Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways.

Next steps: We are now analysing the input received and will share a summary of findings and next actions later this year.

Key dates

Engagement period

The Our Waterways Future survey has now closed. Thank you to everyone who took part. We received strong engagement from the community, stakeholders and partners who care deeply about the future of our waterways. Your feedback is helping to inform the development of GCWA’s long-term strategy for the Gold Coast’s waterways. Next steps: We are now analysing the input received and will share a summary of findings and next actions in 2026.

Draft Our Waterways Future

Our Waterways Futre- DRAFT

Phase 1 Engagement Report

Phase 1 Engagement Report

FAQs

FAQs

Timeline

  • Early 2024

    Phase one consultation and technical studies completed.


    Mid to Late 2024

    Review findings, studies and create proposed future directions.

  • Early 2025

    Draft Our Waterways Future


    Mid 2025

    Phase two consultation

  • 2026

    Consultation

    • Commence local waterway plan preparation
    • Commence big ideas implementation
    • Future community consultation