Assessment of Congestion and Conflicting Use Management for the Gold Coast Waterways: Volume 1 Technical Report

Abstract

This study was commissioned by the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) to help develop a better understanding of the current and emerging users and uses of the Gold Coast waterways (GC waterways). With a growing population, the study will provide a baseline for the current status of the GC waterways and helped identify current and emerging conflicts. The GCWA will use this information to aid in the future management of the GC waterways. On this basis, the GCWA engaged Envirosphere Consulting to undertake a comprehensive desktop assessment/literature review of the current users and uses (social, environmental and economic) of the GC waterways and current industry practices for managing congestion and conflicting waterway uses. This information was used to develop recommendations to help better manage the GC waterways for current and future users, uses and conflicts. The following section summarises the key themes of this technical report and outlines findings from the extensive literature review, tourism and population trends, patterns of use, critical gaps in data and gaps in understanding. The summary below also presents the key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to uses and users of the GC waterways.