Northern NSW councils support Byron Bay’s push to regulate short-term rentals in housing crisis
Everyone wants to visit beautiful Byron – now more than ever. But northern NSW councils have rallied behind the shire’s bid to rein in Airbnb-style holiday rentals.
Byron Shire
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Northern NSW councils have rallied behind Byron Bay’s bid to rein in Airbnb-style holiday letting as one part of the coastal town’s response to the housing crisis.
Byron Shire Council Mayor Michael Lyon said the organisation is 100 per cent committed to meeting housing needs – but requires the NSW government and particularly the Department of Planning’s help.
The council wants to implement a 60-day annual cap on short-term rentals in the region.
Airbnb Australia head of public policy Michael Crosby slammed the proposal.
“It will fail to address housing supply issues and will have unintended and irreversible consequences for the town’s visitor economy,:” he said.
Department of Planning and Planning Minister Paul Scully would have to tick off on the plan.
“We look forward to working closely with the Department of Planning on unlocking barriers and achieving the housing goals we’re all aligned to achieve,” he said.
“The Department of Planning has a right and indeed a responsibility to ensure that local governments hit their housing targets, especially in light of the housing crisis and the recent impacts of the natural disasters.”
The North Coast Regional Plan set a target of 4522 houses to be delivered in the Byron Shire over the next 20 years.
Cr Lyon believes “it is still possible to meet this time frame”.
He said alleviating the housing crisis in the region requires a multifaceted and co-ordinated approach.
“We need to work together as councils to solve the housing crisis and using a variety of means,” Cr Lyon said
Byron’s plan to won the unanimous endorsement of its neighbouring councils at Friday’s meeting of the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation (comprising Tweed, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Lismore, Kyogle and Clarence Valley).
The joint organisation has also called on NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully to meet with a delegation from Byron Shire Council before handing down his decision on this issue.
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