Whitsunday Regional Council refuses motion for short term accommodation

Residents fighting plans for a Whitsundays property being turned into short term accommodation cited fears tourists’ drones would be flying over their kids on trampolines.

The Whitsunday Regional council has refused a motion to turn a property into short term accomodation for the 8th time in five years. Picture: Contributed

A bid to turn a Cannonvale property into short term accommodation was refused by council as residents raised concerns over the disturbance it would create in the neighbourhood.

With an average of one home every other week being turned into a holiday spot, Whitsunday Regional Council generally approves such projects with only seven applications refused since 2018 out of 172 requests.

The application to change 23 Wambiri St, Cannonvale into a short term accommodation was made by Blue Jade Investments Pty Ltd, with a public consultation carried out in May 2023.

Councillor for Divison 2 Clay Bauman said the property was not located in an area that needed more tourist hubs as it was in a low density residential suburb.

23 Wambiri St, Cannonvale is located in a low density residential hub. Credit: Contributed.

“It’s already affected a neighbour who’s made a submission on this,” Cr Bauman said.

The submission raised concerns over noise disturbance, abusive behaviour and parties as well as privacy issues. There were fears guests would be “overlooking the trampoline from their bedroom and flying drones while children are on trampoline.”

It also raised concerns over the long term accommodation shortage as a reason why the submission shouldn’t be accepted by council.

This aligned with what WRC development services director Neil McGaffin had said in a previous interview with this publication that the negative impacts of increasing STAs may include “decreased affordability of long term residential property rentals for residents”.

The Queensland government has shared findings on a statewide Short Term Accommodation Review on Wednesday August 2 that had a different conclusion.

Deputy Premier Stephen Miles said the University of Queensland led research had assessed the impacts of short term accommodation on rental affordability and found a 10% increase would only contribute 0.2% to 0.5% in rent price changes.

“The review found no clear alignment between the suburbs with the highest rent increases and the percentage of dwellings devoted to short-term rental,” Mr Miles said.

Mr Miles said if the overall stock of dwellings was to increase, this would have a much bigger impact on housing prices.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the Short Term Accomodation Review didn’t establish a clear link between an increase in short term accommodation and housing prices. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Councillor Jan Clifford said she agreed with Cr Bauman that council should protect residential suburbs from having short term accommodation hubs.

“The Airlie bowl is a different story altogether, that is party central and that is where we expect people to be having a good time.” she said.

“As long as it’s happening at what I like to call dormitory suburbs, I’ll be looking after the residents,” she said.