Coomera River lower speed limits come into force

New speed limits for the Gold Coast’s Coomera River that are slightly more restrictive than those initially trialled are set to be introduced to the waterway, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority has announced.

The new speed limits along the southern branch of the river will be 30 knots for vessels measuring less than 6.5 metres in length, and 6.0 knots for vessels that are more than 6.5 metres. When the 12-month GCWA trial kicked off, the upper limit was the same one set for all smooth waters in Queensland, 40 knots, but with a 6.0-knot restriction applying to boats more than 8.0 metres.

The waterways watchdog has also set a 6.0 knot limit for all vessels in the narrow channel between a small unnamed island and the entrance to Hope Harbour Marina.

The trial officially ended on June 30. Signs announcing the new speed limits will be installed on Monday.

During the trial period, the speed limit was 40 knots for vessels less than 8 metres in length and 6 knots for vessels 8 metres in length and over.

GCWA said the trial speed limits were adjusted based on monitoring, the evidence gathered and community and stakeholder feedback.

The authority’s chief executive, Hal Morris, said the new speed limits reflected “feedback from waterways users, waterside residents and businesses along the river, and strike a balance on differing community needs”.

“The Coomera River system is unique to the Gold Coast because of the mixed uses it attracts,” Morris said.

“Unlike other rivers it has no cross-river bridges, it provides the main access point for boats travelling to the Gold Coast marine industry precinct for servicing, it’s used as a recreation area for all types of watercraft and it has many waterfront residential areas.

“This presented us with some real challenges and complexities in making a decision on a speed that addressed the differences of opinion expressed during the trial.

“For example, waterways users told us the speed limits improved waterways access because travel times were reduced. However, waterside residents raised concerns about damaging wash, environmental impacts and noise,” he said.

Morris said everyone consulted about the waterway’s speed limit had valid points, with the new speed limits “a compromise” and similar in concept to those set for Queensand’s 50km/h speed limit on residential roads.

He said the 6.0-knot speed limit for larger boats was introduced to minimise damage from wash.

However, what the new speed limits did not address were issues such as noise and environmental impacts. Morris said these concerns were “outside the scope” of the authority, although it would work with relevant authorities to “consider how these issues may be addressed”.