TRASHING OUR ICON
A GOLD Coast MP wants to end the “circus” of the Broadwater trailer park and clear out houseboats before the Commonwealth Games.
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Crisafulli says he is tired of dilapidated vessels dominating the “most beautiful stretch of water on the Coast”.
One houseboat anchored in the Broadwater used 44-gallon drums to stay afloat and another was home to poultry, whose effluent ran into the city’s waterways.
A GOLD Coast MP wants to end the “circus” of eyesore houseboats and clear them from the Broadwater before the Commonwealth Games.
Shadow Minister for Tourism David Crisafulli says he is tired of dilapidated vessels dominating the “most beautiful stretch of water on the Coast”.
He said one houseboat anchored in the Broadwater used 44-gallon drums to stay afloat and another was home to poultry, whose effluent ran into the city’s waterways.
However, waterway authorities say there is little they can do against houseboats
who are simply considered “eyesores”.
“The Broadwater for the Gold Coast should be like the laneways of Melbourne or the harbour is to Sydney,” said Mr Crisafulli, the MP for Broadwater.
“There’s issues from boats not having adequate tanks to take sewage and vessels that are unseaworthy,” he said. “It’s a circus on the most beautiful stretch of water on the Coast.
“There’s a place for people who live on their vessels. It’s a lifestyle choice that people should be able to make, but not in the Broadwater. Not in an area enjoyed by families.
“Not without adequate sewage disposal.”
Notwithstanding Mr Crisafulli’s concerns, it’s entirely legal for a person to live on a houseboat on the Broadwater, provided they follow the rules.
Gold Coast Waterways Authority CEO Hal Morris said crew were continually monitoring the Broadwater to fine wrongdoers.
But he explained that vessels needed to be watched for more than the seven consecutive days boats are allowed to moor in one place to properly fine them.
Vessels can avoid a fine if they moved at least one nautical mile from their original position in the middle reaches of the Broadwater.
Mr Morris said owners of houseboats can receive onthe-spot fines of up to $250 if they moor for longer than the maximum period. The maximum fine is $2500.
“It’s something we are constantly working on. In January we watched 70 vessels and handed out about 20 infringement notices,” Mr Morris said.
“We have to watch a boat every day for seven days to make sure there’s enough evidence in case it goes to court.
“We can also impound vessels that do the wrong thing so there is a sting in the tail for the penalties.”
Mr Morris said of the 30,000 registered boats on the Gold Coast about 98 per cent were fine.
He said he regularly received complaints, but there were no rules against vessels being eyesores.
“It’s not an offence to be an eyesore, but it is an issue that’s regularly raised,” Mr Morris said.