Council report · Ordinary Meeting, 16 July 2026 · item 13.1
RECREATIONAL BOATING FACILTIES AT HILTON ESPLANADE (DOONELLA BRIDGE, TEWANTIN) BY MARITIME SAFETY QUEENSLAND
Summary
This report provides an overview and update on the proposed Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ)
recreational boating facility adjacent to Doonella Bridge, Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin. It responds to
MSQ's Queensland Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2022 – Noosa
Shire January 2023, as well as subsequent versions released by MSQ.
This initial study was considered by Council at its meeting in June 2023 where Council resolved to welcome the start of the planning process with MSQ to upgrade facilities at Hilton Esplanade (at Doonella Bridge, Tewantin), however, raised concerns for the unrealistic increase in car and trailer carparking capacity indicated in the Study due to traffic, landscape and environmental impact.
Following the release of the Study and announcement of a Government Election Commitment of $2.5million to fund recreational boating facilities on the Noosa River, MSQ has proactively engaged with Council officers to further consider the design of the Hilton Esplanade facility (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin).
Discussions with MSQ officers have been collaborative and constructive, but a design that rectifies previously stated concerns as per Council's June 2023 resolution has not yet been resolved.
It is noted that MSQ has yet to undertake a community engagement program in regard to any specific design for the Hilton Esplanade (Doonella Bridge, Tewantin) facility, which would also ideally inform any formal Council determination concerning the facility.
In terms of internal Council officer assessment of draft designs by MSQ, the following design parameters ideally require further consideration:
a.
provision for periodic large commercial vessel launch and retrieval under shared use design arrangement.
b.
inclusion of facilities and parking for both powered boats and unpowered craft at the site including provision of an accessible, all abilities launching facility.
c.
sufficient setback from the Doonella Bridge to preserve integrity of future traffic lanes for future upgrade work and any replacement, as well as for improved riparian foreshore and amenity outcomes for Lake Doonella mouth.
d.
exclusion of boat trailer traffic from Hilton Esplanade with a dedicated entry and exit from Hilton Terrace for the facility.
e.
provision for the shared pathway through and adjacent to the site which is part of the TMRendorsed high priority regional route for pedestrians and cyclists.
f.
consideration of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) to ensure safety for users and reduction of site crimes such as vandalism.
g.
resolution of environmental and climate change impacts including hydrological impact of any filling in the Noosa River and Lake Doonella mouth, habitat loss from marine plant removals, sediment flows and impacts of frequent tidal inundation.
h.
suitable living foreshore riparian buffer to facilitate erosion resilience, improved water quality, biodiversity and natural amenity along the extent of the interface with the River.
i.
consideration of amenity, recreation and landscaping presentation befitting a key entry area into Noosa and in line with the Noosa Design Principles.
j.
consideration of infrastructure matters such as water, electrical, lighting and drainage services.
It is also noted that provision of a new facility and/or upgrades to existing onshore boat ramp or allied recreational boating facilities including all ability launching are currently not included in Council's forward planning capital works program. It is recommended that Council seek clarity on funding arrangements with MSQ for both on-water and on-shore components of the project including lifecycle costs associated with maintenance of the facility.
The officer’s recommendation
That Council
- Note the report by the Director Infrastructure Services to the Ordinary Meeting dated 16 July
2026 regarding the proposed recreational boating facility at Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin; and
- Note the continued collaboration with Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) to explore and fund recreational boating needs in the Noosa River;
- Advise MSQ of the following design parameters that Council seeks for MSQ to include in its ongoing design work:
a.
Provision for periodic large commercial vessel and item launch and retrieval under shared use design arrangement;
b.
Inclusion of facilities and parking for both powered boats and unpowered craft at the site including provision of an accessible, all abilities launching facility;
c.
Sufficient setback from the Doonella Bridge to preserve integrity of future traffic lanes for future upgrade work and any replacement, as well as for improved riparian foreshore and amenity outcomes for Lake Doonella mouth;
d.
Exclusion of boat trailer traffic from Hilton Esplanade with a dedicated entry and exit from Hilton Terrace for the facility;
e.
Provision for the shared pathway through and adjacent to the site which is part of the TMR-endorsed high-priority regional route for pedestrians and cyclists;
f.
Consideration of CPTED (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) to ensure safety for users and reduction of site crimes such as vandalism;
g.
Resolution of environmental and climate change impacts including hydrological impact of any filling in the Noosa River and Lake Doonella mouth, habitat loss from marine plant removals, sediment flows and impacts of frequent tidal inundation;
h.
Suitable living foreshore riparian buffer to facilitate erosion resilience, improved water quality, biodiversity and natural amenity along the extent of the interface with the River;
and i.
Consideration of amenity, recreation and landscaping presentation befitting a key entry area into Noosa and in line with the Noosa Design Principles;
- Seek clarity on funding arrangements for the entire works, noting that MSQ fund both on-water and on-shore components of the project; and
- Request the matter be reported back to Council for further consideration of the proposal, following MSQ's community and stakeholder engagement and review of consultation findings.
Where this sits in the corporate plan
How it’s funded
Previously before Council
Ordinary Meeting Minutes, 19 January 2023, Item 1, Page 3 That Council request a report be provided to Council by Council's Infrastructure Department to the May round of Council Meetings in relation to the findings of the Maritime Safety Qld Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study 2022, due for release in March 2023 by the State Government of Queensland, pertaining to the Noosa Local Government Area and that the Council report also has regard to community concerns about loss of public space and increased traffic on the Noosa River. Ordinary Meeting Minutes 15 June 2023 That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer and the Infrastructure Planning Coordinator to the Services and Organisation Committee Meeting dated 6 June 2023 and: A. Note its appreciation for MSQ / DTMR in commissioning the investigation to respond to increasing demand for recreational boating facilities; B. Raise concerns for the lack of a regional approach to planning for boat launching facilities, particularly when the Noosa River system is a relatively small system compared to other regional water bodies and may not have the capacity to accommodate statistical growth; C. Seek discussions about increased funding from MSQ / DTMR to fund on-shore components of the boat ramp facilities; D. Welcome further discussions between MSQ and Council to support expedient placement of the Noosa Woods Pontoon, Gympie Terrace Noosaville Pontoon and Lake Street Tewantin Pontoon to assist in improving boating access to the Noosa River; E. Welcome initiation of planning processes jointly with MSQ and TMR to upgrade facilities at Albert / Thomas Steet (Noosaville) Boat Ramp, Hilton Esplanade (Tewantin) Boat Ramp, Lake Street (Tewantin) Boat Ramp and Moorindil Street (Tewantin) Boat Ramp but raise concerns for the unrealistic increase in car and trailer carparking capacity indicated in the Noosa Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study due to traffic, landscape and environmental impact; F. Reject the proposed facility at Chaplin Park due to planning, tenure and character impacts on the park; G. Note that Council is proposing to initiate a Parking Study in FY23/24 that will include examination of car and trailer parking at and near to boat ramps to examine additional measures to manage capacity through contemporary parking demand management techniques, and that the outcomes of this study should inform any consideration of future boat ramps. Ordinary Meeting Minutes 17 October 2024 That Council A. Request the CEO to prepare a report to a future Council meeting addressing the following: 1. An update on the progress of the 2022 Noosa Shire Recreational Boating Facilities Demand Forecasting Study, specifically focusing on high-priority recommendations made by the State Government, including a potential works program for: a. Thomas Street, Noosaville: Parking improvements and walkway repositioning; b. Tewantin, Lake Street: Parking enhancements and installation of a new floating walkway; c. Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin: Construction of a new two-lane facility; d. Noosa Woods: Replacement of the jetty with a pontoon. 2. An analysis of how other councils have addressed shortfalls in trailer parking; B. Explore opportunities for state and federal funding for prioritised projects. Ordinary Meeting Minutes 15 May 2025 That Council note the report by the Director Infrastructure Services to the Services & Organisation Committee dated 6 May 2025 regarding Noosa River Recreational Boating Facilities.
Report details
Index: ECM / Infrastructure Services
ECM/ Boat ramp
ECM 24921881
Attachments
None