Noosa Airbnb crackdown: Residents have say on council’s new laws

“Noosa should be a special place to live, not just to visit.” Community responds to Noosa Council’s proposed management of short stay accommodation rentals.

Peregian Beach Community Association members Keith Long, Marian Kroon, Barry Cotterell, Mary Crawford and Fran Pennay have had their say on Noosa Council’s proposed crackdown on holiday letters.

The future of short stay accommodation in the Noosa Shire is in the hands of the council after community consultation for proposed new rules ended.

More than 600 public submissions were made to Noosa Council over its plans to tighten rules for privately-owned holiday homes and units which are rented out to tourists through booking websites like Airbnb and Stayz.

If approved, the proposal will force property owners to apply for annual registration, keep a record of complaints and have a manager who lives within 20 minutes of the home or unit.

Public consultation closed on Friday, May 28 and now council staff will work through the submissions to see what the community thinks about the new policy.

Peregian Beach Community Association president Marian Kroon said members hoped the proposed changes to regulating the short stay accommodation industry would protect the interests of residents.

The group submitted a joint response to the council about the proposed law.

"Noosa should be a special place to live, not just to visit," Ms Kroon said.

Peregian Beach residents have some concerns about the new proposed draft law regulating short stay accommodation.

"We're very interested in protecting the amenity of residents and the local law makes sure there is a contact for resolving complaints about noise and parking."

Ms Kroon said while the draft law was a "mixed bag", overall the association was in favour of the proposal and hoped its introduction would counteract the "significant impact on longer term rental markets" following the "explosion" of the short term rental industry.

She said the association had many members writing to them with some "pretty horrendous experiences" with noisy rentals and all-night parties.

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Ms Kroon said she was disappointed the new laws didn't have a maximum occupancy requirement for each rental, which was removed from the 2019 draft after the council discovered it was against planning requirements.

But there were some things Ms Kroon said the draft plan was missing that could be amended and hoped the association's submission to the council would address those concerns.

She said visitors should have a better understanding of environmental issues, like the dune revitalisation projects and be encouraged to do their part in minimising damage.

"We think visitors should respect and do their part, they should know the closest beach access and have information provided for provided for dog parks and beaches," Ms Kroon said.

"Owners should make the information available (in the accommodation) and hope visitors comply, or hope there's a compliance officer nearby."

Noosa Council acting environment and sustainable development director Anthony Dow said the aim of the local law was to provide a management framework for short-stay letting properties.

He said that included a code of conduct for guest behaviour to reduce the impact on permanent residents and residential amenity.

"A wide range of stakeholders have taken the time to have a say, including Noosa residents, short-stay letting operators, letting agents and online booking platforms," Mr Dow said.

"Staff will review all of the submissions received and report back to Council in coming weeks."

Originally published as More than 600 have say on Noosa's Airbnb crackdown