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Houses unmoor By Margie Maccoll A number of live-aboard houseboat owners who felt confident contracts they signed with Sovereign Native Tribes of the Kabi First Nation would enable them to remain on the Noosa River as guardians, have been issued state government notices saying the contracts have no legal authority and they have to find either an approved mooring or remove their boats from the river. Noosa River live-aboard boat owner Sally Hayes said there were about 25 boat owners with the agreements for five years with a rollover clause and subject to the boat owners adhering to Tribal law and Tribal beliefs such as not abusing anyone, not being involved in illegal activities or using chemicals harmful to the waterways. Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has told boat owners, under Queensland marine safety laws, as part of the implementation of the Noosa River Management Plan which began in 2023, from 1 January 2026, vessels over 5 metres in length, which do not have registered moorings, will be limited to a maximum of 28 days anchoring per financial year across the Noosa River and adjoining waters. In its notification sent last week to Sally and other boat owners MSQ said it was “aware that some vessel owners have been approached by a group who have purported to grant rights to vessel owners under an alleged contract that are inconsistent with the Notification. In particular, the contract purports to grant vessel owners a right to anchor in the Noosa River and adjoining waters for more than 28 days per financial year. “These contracts are not legally enforceable, and the group does not have any legal right or interest in the Noosa River that can be relied upon as the basis to grant rights to anchor in the Noosa River. “In any event, a contract made by private citizens cannot authorise conduct that is otherwise prohibited by law. Consequently, vessel owners cannot rely on the alleged contract as a legal basis for anchoring vessels in the Noosa River in contravention of s 197 of the Transport Operations
(Marine Safety) Regulation 2016.” They were also warned “MSQ reserves its right to initiate regulatory action for the non-compliance with the Notification”. Sally said she had informed Sovereign Native Tribes of the Kabi First Nation of the notifications and was waiting to hear back. Sovereign Native Tribes of the Kabi First Nation record keeper Diane Djaki Widjung recently told Noosa Today: “Kabi Elders made the agreements. They made them in good faith. Under Tribal law they’re binding. “I should imagine under British law they can’t be discarded. “If it can’t be decided in an amicable way I’m certain the Elders would be willing to take the matter all the way to the High Court to decide it there.” Sally said her understanding was if the matter were to go to the magistrate court, which is governed by state law, under state law the Kabi people are not recognised. “It’ll just get thrown out,” she said. “Unless there’s some sort of challenge for the authority of the land, that is the only way I can see these contracts can actually stand.” Sally said she was disappointed the government wasn’t looking at the real issue - the human impact of what they’re doing. “The boat’s where I live, it’s where I work and it’s in my community,” she said. “The majority of people who are in this position simply don’t have the money to extract $50,000-odd thousand from some orifice somewhere. “What they’re saying is if you can’t afford it we’ll just take your boat and demolish it. “At what point do we say that’s an asset you’re taking away. It’s a livelihood. “There needs to be some compensation. In the current climate - the fuel prices are up high, you’ve got cost of living - to try and find some sort of accommodation, somewhere I can find a studio to continue to work, to earn money. It’s impossible. What they’re doing is saying, well we don’t really care.” Continued page 4
The FEI 160km 3-star championship event was taken out by Poppy Kettlewell on Oso Surprise. (Sarah Sullivan Photography: 553856)
National titles success Perfect autumn weather, a challenging course and more than 160 riders made for a successful running of the 2026 Equestrian Australia National Endurance Championships at Kilkivan. Hosted by Kilkivan Endurance Riders Club, entries came from across Australia, and included nine international entries. The program for the weekend provided Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) and Federation Endurance International (FEI) events for riders. The championships offered the last FEI 3-star qualifying competition for Australianbased riders in contention for the upcoming 2026 Endurance World Championships that
start in Portugal in September. The weekend also gave riders the chance to qualify for the 2026 Tom Quilty Gold Cup to be held at Imbil in July. Riders came from Victoria , New South Wales and Queensland for the Kilkivan ride but there was also a contingent from Malaysia that was hosted by three stables: Toft Endurance, Splendacrest, and Ben Hudson. On show was the spirit of the original Tom Quilty Gold Cup that was held 60 years ago in the Hawkesbury district of New South Wales. Tom Quilty was an accomplished horseman, cattleman and station owner in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Continued page 40
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