Noosa Council rejects construction company owner’s bid to let units out for short stays

A local builder has been denied his bid to let out the generously sized units he’s building close to Sunshine Beach to tourists as Noosa Council cracks down on short-stay accommodation.

Plans to rent four generously sized units at a prime Sunshine Beach location have been rejected as Noosa Council cracks down on the housing crisis gripping the tourist destination.

Mark Bain of Mark Bain Constructions is building four three-bedroom units at 13-15 Park Cres, a short stroll away from Sunshine Beach, which he wanted to rent for short stays.

But his bid was rejected as Noosa councillors on Monday took a stand against further eroding housing supply for residents while locals struggled to find rentals.

Council development assessment manager Kerri Coyle said Sunshine Beach’s housing market was saturated with short-stay accommodation with 28 per cent of properties reserved for tourists and visitors.

Ms Coyle and the council’s planners recommended Mr Bain’s application be rejected.

Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said there was no need for more short-term accommodation within the Sunshine Beach area.

“I can’t place my hand on my heart and claim to be serious about addressing the crisis and at every opportunity approve more dwellings and in this case, four units for short-term accommodation,” he said.

The new Housing Needs Assessment report found median rent for a three-bedroom unit at Sunshine Beach was about $850.

The report found the rise of short-term accommodation in Noosa increased house prices, led to a decline in homes available for permanent rentals and caused conflict between residents and visitors.

It said the creep of short-term accommodation into residential areas created amenity, health and wellbeing impacts.

Councillor Tom Wegener said the Park Cres property would be suitable accommodation for working professionals.

But the decision was not unanimous with Mayor Clare Stewart and councillor Karen Finzel siding with the property owner because they believed it would not be an affordable long-term rental.

Sunshine Beach, once a sleepy holiday enclave reached by a dirt road, is now just $50,000 shy of Byron Bay’s median sales price. Picture Lachie Millard

Sunshine Beach’s median rent for a three-bedroom unit is about $850 but Ms Stewart suggested one of these properties could be priced as high as $2000 a week due to its location.

“I understand what (Mr Wegener) is saying with this being where people in high-paying jobs could live, but we have to acknowledge that tourism is a huge generator for Noosa and that’s not going to change,” she said.

Mr Bain has received council approval to knock down the two existing homes at 13 and 15 Park Cres and build a complex with four three-bedroom, four-bathroom units.

Construction is expected to start early next year.

It was one of two properties rejected for short-stay accommodation at Monday’s meeting, with the other at 1/113 Gympie Tce, Noosaville.

Other similar applications have been rejected by the council in recent months due to housing availability, prompting two legal appeals to date.

Sunanda Ghosh and Srishti Dutta have lodged an appeal with the Planning and Environment Court against the refusal for short-term accommodation at 14 Ann St Noosaville.

Owners of 30-32 The Cockleshell, Noosaville have also had an appeal lodged against the council’s rejection of their tourist and visitor accommodation bid.

Mr Bain was contacted for comment.