Concerns for Turkey Boat on the Broadwater

Boaters see a lot of interesting things during their time cruising their local waterways. But the Turkey Boat of the Gold Coast is certainly out of left field. After making local news, the houseboat and its feathered friends are proving a challenging matter for all manner of authorities caught in a flap.

When the Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA) first became aware of a houseboat with pet turkeys living aboard in April this year (2017), it immediately made enquiries and starting talking, err, turkey.

The said houseboat has been anchored in different locations within the Gold Coast Broadwater. The Authority says it has been working with both the City of Gold Coast and other State Government departments to do what’s fair for all.

Having a gobble or 'rafter' of turkeys on board a houseboat is no laughing matter. It has, in fact, proven a challenging and complex situation. As you can see from the pics accompanying this story, the turkeys are roaming the decks and in the bridge under bird netting.

The GCWA says this matter needs an integrated solution for all involved: the owner of the houseboat, the animals involved, and the local community.

Although risking a roasting from the houseboat owner, the Authority has plucked the courage to pursue the Turkey Boat. But this owner appears to be outsmarting them every step of the way.

TALKING TURKEY
The GCWA sais the question is: which organisation is best placed to achieve the best outcome?

Since first hearing about the houseboat, the GCWA’s actions have been as follows:
>> Continue their monitoring work to ensure compliance with Gold Coast anchoring restrictions;
>> And look into concerns about matters such as marine pollution or noise to find the relevant organisation to assist.

Here's how the GCWA has examined the issue thus far with the organisations best placed to handle the potential issues...

ANCHORING OF THE TURKEY BOAT    
The GCWA has a proactive monitoring program to ensure compliance with Gold Coast anchoring restrictions.

Its ongoing compliance work has revealed that the houseboat’s master is fully compliant with these restrictions, moving the watercraft within required time limits.

Concerns about animals on the houseboat are beyond our Waterway’s jurisdiction.

NOISE AND KEEPING OF ANIMALS
The City of Gold Coast has powers to deal with noise from animals under its Local Law 12 (Animal Management) 2012, but only for animals on land.

For more information about this, you visit the City’s ‘Report a problem – Animals’ page or give them a call on 07 5667 5990.

The GCWA has also been advised by the City that local laws’ officers have spoken to the owner of the animals, advising the owner that the birds must remain contained on the houseboat or under effective control if she intends to bring them onto land.

VESSEL-SOURCED POLLUTION
Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ’s) officers have broad powers to deal with vessel-sourced pollution, which includes sewage. After referring this matter to MSQ, the advice is that the birds are the pets of the houseboat owner and that their waste disposal would be similar to any other pets kept on board a boat.

MSQ is responsible for marine pollution investigations under the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995.

The houseboat owner is responsible for the lawful disposal of garbage and other waste from the houseboat.

ANIMAL WELFARE
Of course, the RSPCA is the organisation that handles the welfare of animals.

When the GCWA first heard about the houseboat, it made enquiries with RSPCA to ensure proper care and protection of the animals and compliance with animal-cruelty laws.

The Authority has been advised by RSPCA that their officers have visited the boat to check on the animals. From what they have been told, the animals are okay.

If the matter isn’t resolved by Thanksgiving Day on November 23, who knows, it might reach its own conclusion.

More from the Gold Coast Waterways Authority.