Enforcing the short stay letting local law

The Issue

Too much short stay letting goes on under the radar and apparently beyond the reach of Council staff. There is inadequate enforcement of the Short Stay Letting Local Law. And the Local Law currently does not cover properties that are not registered.

This impacts the quality of life of many residents and reduces revenue that rightfully should be banked by the Council.

My Policy

Efficient complaints processes and enforcement are needed for the Short Stay Letting and Home Hosted Accommodation Local Law to be effective. There also needs to be a formal complaints mechanism when issues arise at properties without Short Term Accommodation or Local Law approval.

Background

The 2020 Noosa Plan reduced short stay letting of whole houses by making short term accommodation (STA) an ‘inconsistent’ land use in low density residential zones.

Property owners can make development applications for STA, but the Council has warned the likelihood of approval is low. Many properties already used for short stay letting before the 2020 Noosa Plan were approved under the planning legislation as having ‘existing use rights’.

Councils are empowered to make local laws under section 28 of the Local Government Act.

In 2021 Noosa Council made a Local Law to regulate those properties where short stay letting and home hosted accommodation is allowed.  This includes annual fees, a set of requirements, and a code of conduct. 

Many residents are concerned about the unsatisfactory operation of the local law complaints process at approved dwellings and about the quantum of short stay letting in unapproved houses.

My Action

I will ask Council to action improving the complaints mechanisms and compliance at both approved and unapproved properties.

I will also seek to have the Local Law reinforced by ensuring council local laws staff are adequately resourced so they can enforce compliance.