Rowdy schoolies cause $40k damage to Airbnb on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula

Schoolies have trashed an Airbnb, leaving the owner with a massive bill. Here’s why there are fears the havoc will continue.

Schoolies have trashed homes across Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, with one homeowner left with a $40,000 bill following a wild party.

But the police union warned many of the incidents would go without punishment due to staffing concerns at the seaside stations.

Earlier this week a Rye Airbnb was ransacked by partygoers after it was advertised as a party spot on a public schoolies Facebook page.

The home was completely destroyed with holes punched in almost every wall, doors ripped off hinges, and windows throughout the property smashed.

Knives were also stabbed into walls, furniture destroyed and personal belongings of the owners smashed in an apparent deliberate act of violence.

Police watch crowds of schoolies in Rye. Picture: Josie Hayden

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt said staffing of frontline police stations across the state needed to be made a priority.

“Sadly, our stations at the present time are not at the strength they need to be to consistently achieve this objective,” he said.

“The Mornington Peninsula is a prime example of this issue.

“Increasingly, these communities are left with intermittent station closures and insufficient patrol units to meet demand. This needs to change.”

Key stations including Sorrento, Rye and Dromana remain closed to the public amid an ongoing critical police resource shortage.

The increased pressure on services is believed to have led to an inability for police to keep on top of riotous activity.

A spokeswoman for Police Minister Lisa Neville said the location and deployment of police was a matter for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.

Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt says the staffing of frontline police stations across the state needs to be made a priority. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

But she insisted there was an increased police presence across the Mornington Peninsula during schoolies festivities and the summer.

Airbnb Australia head of public policy Derek Nolan said the company enforced a strict ban on gatherings of more than 16 people.

“Our message to everyone who uses Airbnb could not be clearer; bad behaviour has no place on Airbnb and those who fail to adhere to our policies face removal from our platform,” he said.

Last year 400 listings across Australia were suspended or removed from Airbnb for hosting parties and events.