Support for short-stay push after flood of opposition

The push to ban new short-stay permits has received support, despite a flood of negative submissions. DETAILS>>

The possibility of restricting new short-stay accommodation permits from being issued for entire homes in residential zones in the Hobart City municipality is a step closer to becoming a reality.

The idea was supported by the full council in March after it was suggested by deputy mayor Helen Burnet.

Council officers have since returned a report, which noted the move would likely increase the available homes on the long-term rental market and that decreases in supply normally resulted in increased rents.

There were 118 submissions in relation to the proposal, with 48 in support.

It was noted many submissions against were made by people outside the Hobart City LGA.

“We’ve had comments from various organisations, peak bodies, national shelters, Shelter Tas, tenant’s union, Catholic Care,” Ms Burnet said.

Alderman Simon Behrakis is against a short-stay cap. Picture: Kenji Sato

“Those peak bodies have been looking at this issue for a long time.”

Aldermen Simon Behrakis and Will Coats were against the amendment.

“I don’t think short stay accommodation is the boogie man some are making it out to be,” Mr Behrakis said.

“I don’t think this is the right way to go about, I think it’s a sledgehammer to the entire sector.

“Mansions with four, five bedrooms aren’t relevant to the housing conversations, it’s not going to open up another house for use.”

The report was endorsed by the planning committee and will go before the full council to decide if the council should recommend the Tasmanian Planning Commission approve the proposed amendment.

If it passes the full council, next week, the planning commission will hold hearings into the representations and make a determination in three months.

Council’s new bid to stop Hobart houses being turned into Airbnbs

Plans to stop more Hobart houses from being turned into short-stay accommodation will be put forward by Hobart City Council’s city planning committee.

On Monday, the City Planning Committee will push for changes to the Planning Scheme that would put a cap on new whole-house short-stays in most residential areas.

The idea faces stiff opposition from Airbnb owners and certain businesses who say it would harm Tasmania’s tourism scene and infringe on property owner rights.

However, it has the overwhelming support from social advocacy groups who say tourist short-stays are making rents even more unaffordable for local Tasmanians.

Committee chairwoman Helen Burnet said this was a crucial change which would stem the flow of long-term houses into the short-stay sector.

“We know there is a shortage of houses going up for market because of short-stay visitor accommodation, among other reasons,” Ms Burnet said.

“This could make a huge difference by now allowing that leakage for more houses to disappear off the rental market.”

Hobart City Council Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnett in North Hobart wants further curbs on Airbnb operations in the city. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

In a written submission to council’s committee, Airbnb public policy manager Michael Crosby voiced his opposition to the Planning Scheme amendment.

Mr Crosby said other factors, such as approval rates for new housing, were much bigger contributors to housing affordability than Airbnbs.

“We stress that the influence of Airbnb’s community of hosts and guests are infinitesimal when compared to the other many factors that impact the broader housing market in Australia.

“Crucially, Airbnb notes that the council’s proposal is extremely unlikely to have a substantive impact on the availability of affordable rental housing in the City of Hobart.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the “very damaging tide” of houses flowing into the short-stay market needed to be dealt with.

Ms Reynolds said this planning scheme amendment was a small positive change, but that council’s hands were largely tied on this issue because of state government laws.

She said more needed to be done to stop more of Hobart’s homes being turned into short-stay properties.

“I have supported the goals of the share economy in the past and I support people sharing granny flats and rooms, but things have gone too far in certain areas,” Ms Reynolds said.

“Our density of tourist accommodation is off the charts compared to other capital cities. Urgent and responsible action is needed to rebalance and repair our private rental market.”

If the planning scheme amendments are approved by council, they would be sent to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for further scrutiny.

If the Planning Commission approves of the changes, it would restrict new whole-house short-stays in areas marked as General Residential Zones, Inner Residential Zones, and Low Density Industrial Zones in the Hobart City area.