Shadow Minister for Main Roads and Transport and Member for Maroochydore, Fiona Simpson has welcomed the news that a permanent pipeline will be constructed at the mouth of the Mooloolah River to allow for regular dredging.

Ms Simpson recently received confirmation from the Minister for Transport’s office that a joint project between Sunshine Coast Council, the Department of Transport and the Port of Brisbane Corporation will see a permanent pipeline installed on the southern harbour entrance training wall by mid-year.

"Our recreational and commercial mariners have been calling for a permanent solution to what has been a serious safety issue for years. I believe this is a step in the right direction," Ms Simpson said.

"Vessels run aground trying to get in and out of the harbour on a regular basis. The constant sand build up has meant that low tide access was often not possible, and has been putting lives at risk."

The dredging pipeline is expected to have the capacity to pump up to 10,000 cubic metres of sand onto the nearby Mooloolaba Beach each winter – helping to address severe and ongoing erosion problems along the popular tourist spot.

"This joint project will hopefully provide a safer and more reliable entrance to the Mooloolah River, enabling regular dredging while also helping to replace sand that has been stripped from the beach during severe weather conditions," explained Ms Simpson.

"It’s about time that mariners saw the Department put some of the funds from the massive vessel registration hikes of last year to good use.

"Restricted access to the harbour in the past has threatened the commercial fishing industry, and continually compromised the safety of our mariners.

"I hope that the installation of a permanent pipeline will also mean a more regular dredging and maintenance schedule," Ms Simpson said.