Noosa’s housing affordability crisis will not be fixed by red tape on short-term rentals: Eacham Curry

Noosa’s crack down on short-term rentals to help housing affordability has one issues. Those homes are often not “affordable”, writes Stayz’ Eacham Curry.

Tourism operators face the prospect of missing out on the busiest Australian holiday season on record – thanks in part to pent-up interstate demand and revenge spending – owing to the state government’s continued delay in outlining a clear pathway out of border closures, snap lockdowns and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Adding to this uncertainty, some council areas are looking to hamstring holiday homeowners further, by potentially reducing the number of permits available for short-term lending.

More local government red-tape on short-term rentals is not the solution to housing affordability and accessibility issues facing regional areas like Noosa. In fact, accommodation platforms like Stayz are a critical driver for tourism, economic growth and employment across Queensland, supporting more than 8000 full-time jobs since 2017/2018.

Localised restrictions for short-term rental accommodation not only jeopardise the fragile tourism sector, but they also fail to address the four key issues of housing accessibility, housing affordability, the impact on government resources and service provision, and lastly, impact on neighbourhood amenity.

Noosa has long been a popular region to holiday. Picture: Lachie Millard.

A core argument against constrictive regulations is that homes typically offered as short-term accommodation are unlikely to be considered “affordable” by those looking for longer term rentals. Limitations on permits for short-term accommodation providers are, therefore, unlikely to have any material impact on housing affordability in the area.

Local councils, such as Noosa Shire Council, have limited policy instruments to respond adequately to issues regarding amenity, urban planning and infrastructure. As a result, we are concerned that local councils in Queensland are at risk of pursuing misguided regulations that are draconian for homeowners while failing to address the underlying factors.

A comprehensive regulatory framework from the state government would be a more effective response and would provide some much-needed certainty to operators.

Stayz’s policy recommendations for the Queensland Government are:

• Compulsory and simple registration for all properties listed on a short-term rental accommodation platform that will help inform sensible and easily understood policy.

• The creation of a mandatory short-term rental code of conduct for owners and managers – including a three strikes rule for those who do not meet the standards.

• A largely industry-funded and administered body to quickly address problems and adjudicate questions about amenity, noise and overcrowding at short-term rental accommodation properties.

As Noosa Shire Council awaits the findings of its regional housing assessment, Stayz reiterates its commitment to constructive engagement with a view to shaping a regulatory model along these lines.

Eacham Curry is the Stayz corporate affairs director.

Stayz Corporate Affairs director

Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Noosa’s housing affordability crisis will not be fixed by red tape on short-term rentals: Eacham Curry