Houseboat residents on Queensland’s Noosa River are facing eviction under a new state-imposed anchoring limit, introduced amid soaring housing costs and growing pressure on river safety.
The 28-day anchoring limit for vessels longer than five metres came into effect on 1 January 2026, with enforcement beginning this week. The rule applies to the Noosa River on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, and affects about 120 anchored vessels.
Queensland’s transport department estimates around 20 of those vessels are used as full-time homes, with a further nine used part-time. Some residents have lived on the river for decades after being priced out of Noosa’s housing market, where the median price for a one-bedroom unit now sits at about $920,000.
Supporters of the rule argue congestion has created safety risks on the shallow river, which in places measures just 30 centimetres deep. State consultation reports cite restricted sightlines, reduced public access and competing recreational uses as key reasons for the change.
Houseboat residents say the rule will displace long-term locals already affected by the region’s housing crisis. Many argue the policy effectively removes a last-resort housing option in one of Australia’s least affordable towns.
Maritime Safety Queensland says the regulation is designed to prevent long-term vessel storage and ensure the river remains accessible and safe for all users. Local independent MP Sandy Bolton has rejected claims the rule targets lower-income residents, saying support is available for those experiencing financial hardship.
