Norah Head AirBnB: Soldiers Point Drive application to be reviewed
It was Central Coast Council’s first development application for an AirBnB. Now the owners are calling on council to overturn its decision to reject the short term holiday rental in Norah Head.
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THE first development application for short-term holiday accommodation to Central Coast Council is making its return on Monday night.
The application for an AirBnB at 18 Soldiers Point Drive was rejected by council in January and the owner has returned seeking a review of the decision.
The owner has also lodged an appeal in the Land and Environment Court.
This was the amalgamated council’s first development application for short-term accommodation with councillors stamping its authority on AirBnBs operating in residential areas.
The house had already been operating as short term rental accommodation however came before council after receiving a number of objections.
This sparked a debate on AirBnBs with many fearing properties are being turned into
“party houses” while others are keen to see more tourism and visitors to the area.
Councillors refused the DA due to impacts on surrounding properties such a noise, inability to maintain residential amenity of the area and the DA not being in the public interest.
The review is set to come to council at Monday’s nights meeting in Gosford, with a staff recommendation to approve the DA for an initial period of 12 months. It has already attracted a community petition with 136 signatures of objection.
Residents neighbouring the property have called on the council to reject the application indicating there had been anti-social behaviour, noise and mess at the property.
In October 2018 the owner of the house Michelle Thomas, who resides at the house and leaves when it is rented out, told the Express said she was just trying to pay her mortgage.
“It feels like I’m being discriminated against,” she said.
When the application was rejected, Cr Richard Mehrtens said in many cases, long term residents of the Coast are waking up to find a “party house” next door.
“This is conversation that is happening across the coast,” he said.
He said approving the application would set a precedent for others to run AirBnBs.
Cr Chris Holstein said unless there was an on-site manager, the property could not be controlled.
Staff have indicated that short term rental accommodation does not require on-site management.
If the decision is overturned, staff have recommended a limit of 120 days per year that the house can be used as an AirBnB and an updated management plan including limiting the number of guests, banning parties and placing time limits on noise.