Houseboat Proliferation

As a result of a policy document on houseboats released recently by Transport for NSW and a local marketing campaign the number of houseboats around our shores is set to escalate.

The houseboat marketing material states:

"Until recently you could only have one of these if you had a waterfront property. Now you can have one anywhere, and even better, you can move it whenever you want a better view."

There are no DA type processes involved with the design and construction of houseboats nor are there any
requirements for waste management. Hence there are significant potential environmental, visual amenity and safety implications for Pittwater residents and users.

Bayview Church Point Residents Association has approached Transport for NSW in an effort to contain the spread of houseboats in Pittwater and to secure better overall management of their approval and usage.

We would appreciate your support in this endeavour. Please send us an email at info@bcpra.net indicating your disapproval of the proliferation of Houseboats on Pittwater and asking for a review of the processes that allow this.

Update June 2022: The Member for Pittwater the Hon Rob Stokes has advised he is waiting for a response from the Minister for transport on the recommendations presented by BCPRA. We were further advised that his office will meet with local Maritime representatives to discuss associated operational arrangements.

Update July 2024: While this issue was taken up with the Minister for Transport by the  Member for Pittwater in 2022 no changes to limit or better manage houseboats on Pittwater have been achieved. It is hoped however that our representations have created greater awareness of community concerns at the policy and operational levels of State Government.