Whitsunday council crackdown on short term ‘party house’ accommodation
Despite fury over barking dogs, parking, ‘anti-social’ behaviour and parties, 14 properties were approved to become short term accommodation this year. See where they are.
Whitsunday
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A crackdown on unregulated party houses is on the table as a flurry of homeowners try to tap into a burgeoning short term accommodation boom in the Whitsundays.
At least 15 applications to turn single dwelling homes into STAs have come before Whitsunday councillors since January with four approved this month.
But gaining approval is about to get harder with councillors recently unanimously voting to make STA a prescribed activity under local laws to tackle “nuisance” guests.
It comes after a stack of petitions from angry neighbours who have fought, but largely failed, to keep STAs out of their patch.
Excessive noise including barking dogs, “anti-social behaviour”, and parking on the street were common bugbears with another complaint being visitors given gate codes to private estates.
Residents of The Cove in Airlie Beach were particularly prickled with one dissenter writing “Marina Shores has 50 apartments and is less noisy than The Cove”.
There were further concerns STAs were deflating house values with a submission against 18/21-23 The Cove Rd stating a recent buyer was now selling up because of the estate’s prolific STAs.
Even the environment was put forward in a plea to stymie an approval, with a submission against 23 Warrain St in Shute Harbour stating “guests will damage the fringing coral reef to the rear of the property”.
But Whitsunday Regional Council documents state alleged damage to the reef was “not a relevant planning consideration”.
Out of 15 applications, only 14/119 Botanica Dr in Woodwark was rejected with council documents stating the land zoning was unsuitable and “there are concerns” it could “negatively impact” on neighbouring residents’ security.
For the 14 others, residents’ concerns were deemed manageable, with mitigating measures introduced in strict new requirements the council is aiming to permanently enshrine in local laws.
They include a ban on parties; restricting the number of guests allowed at any one time; outlining the minimum number of onsite carparks needed; and having to provide detailed floor plans.
WRC community services and local laws director Julie Wright said each property would also have to publicly display two phone numbers that were answerable 24/7 and a property manager needed to greet every guest on arrival and explain the rules.
“(Plus) organising private security to attend the premises within 30 minutes of receiving any complaint,” Ms Wright added, explaining guests who twice broke a pre-signed Code of Conduct would be booted with two hours’ notice.
Cr Michelle Wright said the proposed regulations were a “good step in the right direction”.
“For too long, (short term accommodation providers) have just flown under the radar and haven’t contributed or been responsible to anyone,” Cr Wright said.
WRC development services director Neil McGaffin said STAs were increasing pressure on the housing shortage with some perceiving they were shrinking the “rental pool”.
“In some extent that’s accurate, (but as) to what extent is unknown without research,” Mr McGaffin said.
“It’s not a contemporary new issue, it’s just been given new prominence because of the ease of booking online.”
Mr McGaffin said Airlie Beach was particularly attractive to the STA market with its “lighthearted” atmosphere, good entertainment and “buzz of activity”.
The proposed amendments to local laws were unanimously carried during a council meeting on October 12, and will be forwarded to the state government for approval.
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