Houseboat owner Rachael Hills says her dream of retiring on the Noosa River has been thrown into uncertainty following the introduction of new anchoring restrictions by Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ).
Ms Hills bought her houseboat in March 2025, with plans to eventually live on the water full-time.
“We spend our weekends on it, relaxing and fishing and counting down the years until we can live on it,” she said.
Ms Hills is one of about 50 houseboat owners who say they are affected by MSQ’s new 28-day anchoring rule, which came into effect on January 1, 2026.
The rule limits vessels over five metres to anchoring in the Noosa River and its connected waterways for no more than 28 days per financial year.
MSQ said the changes were introduced to ensure “safe, fair and environmentally responsible use of the Noosa River and adjoining waterways,” and that long-term on-water storage at anchor was no longer permitted.
“Those wishing to stay within the river system longer than 28 days should explore options to use commercial and private pontoons and jetties,” a spokesperson said.
Concerns among boat dwellers have been growing, with 37 people attending a meeting organised by Sally Hayes on December 28 to discuss their options.
Ms Hills said many houseboats were not capable of safely relocating.
“The cost of towing a houseboat starts at around $20,000,” Ms Hills said.
“Our house will need to be towed as it isn’t motor powered. It’s too large to cross the Noosa Bar. The Noosa Bar would totally destroy it — it’s a catch 22.
“For MSQ to force us to do this will effectively put our lives in danger. It will be a suicide mission.”
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Ms Hills said the Noosa Houseboat Community chat group had grown to 85 members and had become a space for owners to share updates and concerns.
“The impact of MSQ’s new 28 day anchoring rule has brought a lot of stress to the community,” she said.
“MSQ need to focus on abandoned and degenerate boats. Boats that have sunk or are anchored up on the mangrove banks to stop them from sinking.”
In response, MSQ said the 28-day restriction was the final stage of the Noosa River Management Plan, which began in September 2023 after extensive community consultation.
Vessels on registered MSQ moorings are not affected, however the number of moorings will not be increased beyond the current limit of 119.
“MSQ compliance officers are working with the boating community to inform and educate them of the anchoring changes and will soon move to an enforcement phase,” a spokesperson said.
Since the plan’s rollout, MSQ said around 110 vessels have already moved out of newly designated no-anchoring zones.
