Anger at boats 'parked' in waterway

Residents living beside a canal in the Moreton Bay region are calling for action over boats being parked for "weeks/months" in the waterway.

Reports say a rising number of vessels are being left in Redcliffe's Jabiru Canal, which is lined by hundreds of waterfront homes and Newport Marketplace shops. 

Moreton Daily has been told one boat slipped anchor and hit a canal homeowner's vessel, moored to a pontoon, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

When the resident tried to make a claim for damage, they discovered the “abandoned” boat was not insured.

There are also suggestions rubbish has been dumped in the water and on canal banks from one or more “parked” boats.

Moreton Bay City Council is aware of the Jabiru Canal residents’ concerns and a spokesperson says they are “currently being investigated”.

“A vessel can only be moored in a canal in the local government area under certain circumstances,” the spokesperson said.

“Such as in an emergency or a contractor employed by Council to conduct maintenance work within the canal.

“If an offence is substantiated, enforcement action can be taken. 

"This could include the issuance of notices, infringements and/or potentially removal of the vessel by Council.”

The latter would meet appeals by members of the Newport Waterside Residents private Facebook group, shown to Moreton Daily.

“I don’t complain much but geez we are sick of looking at these boats in our canal,” one member posted.

“Shouldn’t be allowed to stay for weeks/months. Apparently, there is nothing we can do about it these days. Is this correct?”

Another posted: “We pay to live here. They don’t! Half of them are within 10m from three of us who live here. Just sick of looking at them (boats) dumped there.”

Further comments included: “These boats constantly drift anchor and damage other boats.

“What is meant to happen when they drift into the people’s boats that live on the canal when half the time no-one is even on board.”

And included: “Yep and then don’t have the money to repair the damaged boats because they aren’t insured.”

The Council spokesperson said Community Standards for Public Land and Roads Local Law 2023 gives the legislative framework for mooring in canals in the region.

If a vessel breaks free of its anchorage or mooring, phone Vessel Traffic Services 3258 4888 or Water Police 3895 0333.