Mornington Pensinsula short-stay accommodation: new council law aims to stamp out drunken parties
DRUNKEN revellers partying into the night at Airbnb short-stay properties on the Mornington Peninsula face a crackdown under a new law forcing owners to guarantee their guests’ good behaviour.
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MORNINGTON shire is bringing in a Victorian-first local law to stop drunk, dodgy and disrespectful behaviour at Peninsula “party houses”.
Locals have had enough of visiting partygoers making their lives a misery by holding drinking sessions involving loud music, yelling and swearing well into the early hours of the morning.
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Soon owners of the 3000 short-term stays in the municipality will have to sign a Mornington Peninsula Shire code of conduct guaranteeing their guests will behave.
They will have to register their property and pay an annual fee, which has yet has yet to be decided, for the privilege.
The new law will place strict time limits on pool, spa and balcony uses, have maximum visitor numbers and parking restrictions, and not allow tents or caravans.
Compliance officers will patrol known hot spots, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, and will fine property owners if there are breaches.
Penalties of up to $1000 can be imposed, and a ‘three-strike’ delisting provision implemented for repeat offenders.
Mornington Peninsula Shire governance manager Joe Spiteri said the shire had worked with operators, the police and the community in an effort to solve the persistent problem.
He said the law had gone through extensive legal verification processes and they were confident it was fine.
“This provides issues of accountability,” Mr Spiteri said.
“It is us being proactive; (we are) on the front foot.”
There have been 87 complaints over the past year, with one particular problem property in Neville Drive, Rye.
Neighbours spoken to by the Leader last week this week said they were happy with the shire’s local law response as it should curtail irresponsible behaviour.
Mayor Bev Colomb said she had “empathy for neighbours who have had a pretty dreadful time”.
She said it was unfortunate that a few short-stay guests had caused so much distress for the community.
Stayz head of government relations Eacham Curry said they supported the three-strike rule but were concerned about restrictions on car parking and use of outdoor spaces, and the uncertainty of fees was also a problem.
People can comment on the plan until December 7, here.
