<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A Queensland houseboat owner who was forced off a popular river </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/noosa-river-houseboat-owners-told-to-leave-or-pay-hefty-fines-after-rule-change/6a8f3d92-46ac-4202-b264-f4d68197012b" rel="" target="_blank" title="over controversial new mooring rules"><span>over controversial new mooring rules</span></a><span> sold his $160,000 vessel for just $1 after costs to remove it spiralled out of control.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>David Blundell, 76, moved onto the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/noosa" rel="" target="_blank" title="Noosa River"><span>Noosa River</span></a><span> in late 2024 after "absolutely falling in love" with his boat.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But his dream of waking up to river sunrises and floating through retirement was short-lived after Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) announced that unmoored boats larger than five metres on the Noosa River can only stay for a maximum of 28 days per year from January 1, 2026.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Do you have a story? Contact</span></strong></em><span> </span><strong><em><span>reporter April Glover at</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="mailto:april.glover@nine.com.au" target="" title="april.glover@nine.com.au"><em><strong><span>april.glover@nine.com.au</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has meant dozens of full-time houseboat residents have either sold their home or relocated at an exorbitant price.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"You don't just totally pull the rug out from the people who live quite peacefully and rightly on the river," Blundell told </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/" rel="" target="" title="nine.com.au."><span>nine.com.au.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Losing my houseboat has been pretty traumatic and I was hoping I could enjoy life on the river like the other very decent people there."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/noosa-houseboats-queensland-man-sells-boat-for-one-dollar-after-being-forced-off-river/7a97cae6-7ce5-4509-aa07-c27922a61f5b" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Blundell's boat, aptly named Sunsets and Dreams, had previously been deemed unseaworthy by MSQ after he said it was battered by waves from jetskis while he was away.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He spent $22,000 on a boat towing service, where it was damaged further.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Blundell disputed MSQ's assessment and said he successfully refloated and stabilised his vessel and had been living on it safely for months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But it didn't matter – new rules meant he needed to get off the river or face fines of up to $33,380.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cost of removing his boat again and floating it on a river without MSQ limits were too costly for Blundell, a pensioner, to afford.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I had to be off the river by 4pm on the 1st of February," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So at that stage, there was no point in [keeping it]."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He advertised his beloved boat online for $1 and had a lot of interest – and some scepticism – about his fire sale.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Blundell eventually sold it to a local couple, who only had a $2 coin.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It broke his heart to say goodbye to his home.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I just think it's terrible," Blundell added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fellow houseboat owner Sally Hayes, who is fighting to change the MSQ rule, said Blundell found himself in a "tragic" situation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Suddenly, by this ruling being put in place, it renders these boats as worthless," she previously told nine.com.au.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It makes them a liability more than an asset.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So many people are losing their entire retirement savings."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hayes has called on the Queensland government to either reverse the decision or provide financial assistance to relocate boats.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Hayes and Blundell are among 25 houseboat owners who have been displaced by the ruling.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some face being homeless or in huge debt.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It is going to totally change the character of the river," Blundell added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The 28-day rule applies to Noosa River and all adjoining waters, including Noosa Sound, Lake Cooroibah, Lake Cootharabah, Lake Doonella, Lake Weyba, the Everglades and connected creeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Boats secured to private jetties are not considered anchored or unmoored and are not subject to the rules.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There are only a limited number of moorings on the river.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>Maritime Safety Queensland's statement in full:</span></em></strong><em><span>The Noosa River Management Plan aims to make the Noosa River safer, cleaner and more sustainable, ensuring it remains a key part of Noosa's appeal for years to come.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The plan, introduced in 2023 after extensive community consultation since 2021, focuses on reducing congestion, improving safety and protecting the environment on this popular waterway.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Maritime Safety Queensland has implemented the Management Plan in carefully considered stages, commencing in September 2023, with each subsequent stage announced 3-6 months in advance.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The Noosa River Management Plan balances the competing needs of vessel owners, other river users and tourists, local community residents and businesses.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The new 28-day anchoring restrictions introduced on 1 January 2026 are designed to ensure the river can still be safely enjoyed by all of the community and not used as a long-term vessel storage facility.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>Of the 120 vessels still anchored in the Noosa River, MSQ estimates the number of full-time live-aboard vessels still in the river to be around 20, with another 9 used as weekend or part-time accommodation.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a 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