Houseboat hatred divides residents of Biggera Waters

A row of ‘hideous’ houseboats and tinnies moored close to the shoreline in an affluent Gold Coast suburb has sparked furious debate. VOTE IN THE POLL

A row of “hideous” houseboats and tinnies moored close to the shoreline has sparked furious debate in an affluent Gold Coast suburb.

It all kicked off when Biggera Waters resident Warren Jopson posted pictures of what he described as an “eyesore” to his local Facebook community group.

“Can something be done to have these hideous houseboats removed from blocking the beach at high tide - they prevent people from even walking along the beach,” he wrote alongside the images.

“They have been there for well over the seven-day limit and nothing seems to happen.

“Who is responsible for policing these as obviously (they are) not doing their job.”

A houseboat on the Broadwater at Biggera Waters. Picture: Warren Jopson

A Gold Coast Waterways Authority spokeswoman said it would review any anchoring or abandoned vessel-related reports in the new year.

Mr Jopson told the Bulletin that apart from the boats taking up “the whole blooming beach”, they were also a blight on the area.

“No one is using them and they’re just sticking out,” he said.

“They are a bit of an eyesore - some of them are pretty derelict and abandoned.”

A washed up tinny. Picture: Warren Jopson

Some other residents agreed with Mr Jopson’s complaint.

“It’s a boat shanty town,” one woman wrote.

“They need to do checks weekly and starting fining them as we see houseboats and other boats that never move for ages. Living rent free on the water,” one man said.

Others could not see a problem with the boats.

“Walk around them like everyone else,” one suggested, while another described it as a “Karen” complaint.

Division 7 councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden said he had noticed an issue with the boats as well, adding “there’s not much sand to walk on” in the area.

A houseboat on the Broadwater at Biggera Waters. Picture: Warren Jopson

He said boats on the sand were an issue for Gold Coast City Council, while boats in waterways were the responsibility of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.

A GCWA spokeswoman said it recently monitored anchoring restrictions in various areas of the Broadwater, including Biggera Waters.

Anchoring and mooring is restricted to a maximum of seven consecutive days in any 60-day period in this area.

“We encourage the community to make reports that assist us in keeping the waterways safe and accessible year-round via our website,” the spokeswoman said.

A council spokeswoman said the city monitored and regulated vessels unlawfully stored on foreshores.

“Vessels are considered illegally moored if they are left above the high-tide line for a prolonged period of time,” she said.

“If a vessel is illegally moored, officers place an advisory sticker on the vessel notifying the owner that they need to remove the vessel immediately or risk enforcement action.”

To make a report to GCWA, visit here.