Noosa Airbnb hosts put forward alternatives to rules in draft local law

Punishments for unruly guests and a register of complaints are some suggestions Airbnb hosts made in calls for a shake-up to proposed rules for holiday homes.

Noosa Council has released a draft plan for public feedback on how to regulate the region’s short stay accommodation industry.

Punishments for unruly guests and a register of complaints are some suggestions Airbnb hosts made in calls for a shake-up to proposed rules for holiday homes.

More than 200 Airbnb hosts and businesspeople met on Monday night to raise concerns with Noosa Council's proposed draft local law for the short stay accommodation industry.

The prospect of a legal challenge was real too with one host suggesting they band together to fight the local laws should council push ahead with the proposal.

It proposes new rules for property owners including that they apply for annual registration, have a manager who lives within 20 minutes of the home or unit and display their phone number outside the property.

Airbnb host Sue Jordan said she thought the meeting was productive.

Noosa Chamber of Commerce president Rob Neely, Airbnb home host Adrienne Penny and Airbnb host Sue Jordan raised concerns with the council's proposed draft local laws for the short-stay industry.

"I host everything from one bedroom flats to five bedroom houses and I don't think anyone wants a party house," she said.

"We're all happy for council to come up with something but we just need it to be fair."

Under the proposed local laws hosts can have their registration cancelled if they fail to follow the code of conduct.

Under the code noise would be limited at outdoor areas, including pools and decks and "unacceptable" behaviour includes loud cheering, clapping and singing.

Ms Jordan agreed with those at the meeting who said there should be punishments for guests who fail to follow house rules.

"More emphasis needs to be placed on the responsibility of the guest to abide by house rules instead of the host suffering the consequences," she said.

"Whether it be fines, being kicked out or being banned from platforms."

Councillor Amelia Lorentson said there had to be an acceptance of Noosa as a tourist destination but measures to ensure residents can live in peace.

Cr Amelia Lorentson: Image: Giselle Peters

She said the residents in the room sounded like good Airbnb hosts but the same could not be said for all short term letting providers in the area.

Ms Lorentson said she lived in a street in Little Cove surrounded by "unregulated" holiday homes and units.

"As a councillor for the past 12 months hand on heart I can say we get two complaints everyday about unregulated short stay accommodation," she said.

"At Little Cove we have homes with three to four families in one house that have parties until 12pm."

Ms Jordan and Ms Lorentson hoped consultation could be extended again beyond the May 28 deadline.

"What's been put out is a draft and it was identified at the time (at the Noosa Council meeting) as an inadequate piece of work," Ms Lorentson said.

"Submissions and feedback is crucial."

Originally published as Noosa Airbnb hosts put forward alternatives to rules in draft local law