Not in my river: Noosa residents explode at ‘floating favela’

Noosa locals have let rip at the number of vessels anchored on their river, comparing the scene to something you’d see in a third world country.

Disgruntled residents are blowing up over the state of the Noosa River, leading to a mayoral candidate vowing to work with the State Government to resolve the houseboat crisis plaguing the waterway by the end of the year, if elected.

An adept businessman and community leader experienced in river issues, Nick Hluszko has announced that he is running for mayor of Noosa Council.

Mr Hluszko has vowed to make finding a solution for anchoring and mooring issues, as well as liveaboard vessel crowding in the river a priority, estimating that several hundred vessels have remained stagnant in the river for years.

Derelict houseboats on the Noosa River. Picture: Supplied

“It is getting worse and worse and worse every single year,” Hluszko said.

“In some pockets of the river you will see little floating favelas, like you might see in Latin America or Asia.

“There are so many loopholes in the system, people could buy a $3000 yacht, whack it in the river, stay there ad infinitum, and pay no rates.”

Hluszko was a member of the Noosa River Stakeholder Advisory Committee that was responsible for providing advice to Noosa Council and Maritime Safety Queensland on sustainable use and management of the Noosa River and its catchment.

Noosa Council mayoral candidate Nick Hluszko is demanding action on the overcrowded Noosa River.

In a bid to manage the number of vessels on the congested waterway, the group put forward recommendations including a 28-day anchoring limit, improving fixed moorings, having designated no-anchoring locations, as well as installing additional public facilities for daytime parking of vessels.

If elected, Hluszko will be advocating to have those recommendations approved by the State Government by the end of the year.

The number of houseboats and other vessels crowding the Noosa River has been an issue for decades.

“We just can’t make them disappear into bureaucracy,” Hluszko said.

“My role should the community trust me enough to do the job would be to be involved directly, get priority with all the agencies, and make this happen by the end of the year.”

Hluszko acknowledged the impact that the homeless crisis has had on people seeking real estate on the Noosa River.

“It’s a very sensitive subject that needs to be treated with respect,” he said.

“No one wants to see anyone suffer, but there are other mechanisms and structures out there to help people.”

Paddleboarder Julie Filson described the number of vessels and derelict boats on the Noosa River as “out of control”.

Houseboats on the Noosa River. Picture: Julie Filson

“Is it the Noosa River or the Mekong? It is hard to tell with the number of floating sheds inside Goat Island,” she said.

“I’ve been using the river for over 20 years and there’s boats that have been there for as long as I have that just haven’t moved and they’re basically rusting into the water.

“This used to be a public waterway, it is now looking more like a public toilet.

“It is getting out of control on the Noosa River.”

Houseboats on the Noosa River. Picture: Julie Filson

Filson added that she has seen some unsightly activity close up on the river in recent times.

“It is frustrating to see these derelict boats, people urinating off the back of the boats that they live on, and occasionally abusing you as you go past,” she added.

“This is not someone’s backyard, it’s a public waterway and should be a space for everyone to enjoy.

“It is such a tragic situation and something needs to be done about it.”

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said that the popularity of the Noosa River has led to congestion on the river.

“Most waterways in Queensland, including the Noosa River, do not have regulations specifically prohibiting anchoring of vessels,” the spokesman said.

“The popularity of the Noosa River has, however, led to congestion on the river and following extensive public consultation, Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) is progressing a host of reforms to effect waterway management changes.

“These include proposed changes to speed zones, restricted anchorage areas with time limits and upgraded compliance requirements for “live-aboard” vessels in certain areas under strict conditions.

“Speed zone changes were initiated in September 2023, and feedback to MSQ both from the local community and from increased compliance rates from river recreational boating users has been very encouraging.

“MSQ undertakes regular patrols of the river and responds to safety and pollution risks as required. Additionally, MSQ has been actively working with the owners of unseaworthy and abandoned vessels under the state government’s ‘War on Wrecks’ program.

“Since July 2018, in the local government electorate of Noosa, 17 vessels have been removed by MSQ and its partner agencies, 39 vessels removed or made seaworthy by their owners, for a total of 56 fewer derelict vessels in the electorate.”

While the State Government has jurisdiction over river management, Noosa Council’s role is to advocate on matters relating to the river.

A draft Noosa River Catchment Management Plan that included measures to manage anchoring, mooring, and liveaboard vessels went before Noosa Council last year, but it wasn’t adopted and has been deferred for further community consultation following the 2024 Local Government election.