Waterways Fact Sheet

Raby Bay Waterways, Canal Navigation and Pontoons

RBRA is frequently asked by residents about the guidelines for homeowner pontoons, size of vessel allowed to dock on residents’ pontoons, as well as canal navigation and anchoring within waterways of the Raby Bay Estate. Accordingly, RBRA is working with RCC to develop an up to date “Raby Bay Waterways, Canals and Pontoon Fact Sheet”. This Fact Sheet will also address governance and local regulations requirements for the waterways, canals and pontoons.

In the interim to the release of the Fact Sheet, the following waterways, canals and pontoons related information is provided for Raby Bay homeowners and residents:-

Jurisdiction Authorities:

Queensland State Government controls the waterways of Raby Bay.

Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (SARA) is responsible for approving any development within the waterways eg:
- Pontoons, Jetties, Boat Ramps (State Code 8: Coastal Development and Tidal Works).
RCC approves that the development can proceed.
MSQ is responsible for administering the navigable waterways safety of the canals (State Code 7: Maritime Safety).

SARA Diagram 1

Water Allocation Area and Pontoons

Water Allocation Area (WAA) is the water area 1.5 metres inside your block’s boundary lines extended out 12.3 metres from the revetment wall (See SARA Diagram 2). Except on constrained blocks where the water boundary lines may have been changed (See SARA Diagram 3).
This leaves 3 metres of clear water with no structures impeding side boundary access for revetment wall and rock slope maintenance.
Your pontoon (lateral or finger) and any other permanent mooring structures like pylons, must be located within the WAA, ie: no further than 12.3 metres from the revetment wall.
Your vessel that is moored to your pontoon cannot impinge on the outside navigable waterway channel boundary (See SARA Diagram 2).
The beam of a vessel allowed for each pontoon can be different and is determined by the distance of the outermost edge of the pontoon to the navigable waterway (see SARA Diagrams 1 and 2). This will depend on the pontoon location.
For lateral pontoons the vessel must not overhang (either bow or stern extremity - including bowsprit, or stern davits /dinghy) the property’s boundary lines.
For finger pontoons the vessel length should not extend into the navigable waterway. Also, the pontoon or vessel must not interfere with the canal embankment ie: rest on the seabed during low tides.

Fishing in Raby Bay Canals

Boats are allowed to fish within Raby Bay canals except where they are in a granted lease over the seabed such as Raby Bay Marina, Raby Bay Quays Marina, Edgewater Marina and Sentinel Court Marina.

RBRA support and who to call...

Should either homeowners or residents have any questions or concerns on the Raby Bay waterways, canal revetment walls, pontoons or canal navigation, please contact RBRA via email.