Dozens of houseboat residents and boat owners are facing imminent eviction from a popular Queensland river following the introduction of an anchoring time limit.

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, according to a rule announced by the Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), meaning many long-term houseboat owners need to leave this week.

It has triggered outrage among members of the Noosa River community, some of whom have lived there for decades, who say the cost of relocation is prohibitively expensive.

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