Short-Term Accomm Big Rate-Payer Cost

Short-term accommodation applications are once again on the chopping block, but this time Councillors are voicing concerns that rate payers are forking out the costs for frequent court appeals, making each refusal a pointless cost.

At Wednesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Whitsunday Regional Council decided to refuse yet another Short-Term Accommodation application for a dual occupancy home in Wambiri Street, Cannonvale.

The property is deemed low density residential zoning under the Planning Scheme and the decision to refuse this application, despite other similar properties being approved in the past, is due to Council waiting for a new local law to be created.

This local law aims to regulate the amount of short-term accommodation permitted in the area, following exponential growth in the sector which, many believe, has reduced the availability of local rental properties.

While they are waiting for the details of the new local law to be confirmed, many Councillors have decided to vote to refuse any more short term accommodation applications in residential suburbs outside of the Airlie Beach centre.

“Nine per cent of residences are short term accommodation in the 4802 postcode,” said Councillor Clay Bauman.

“I appreciate people coming here for holidays, but I cannot support this particular application.”

At Wednesday’s Council meeting, much of the discussion revolved around a review that was completed by the Honourable Dr Steven Miles, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

In the review, the State Government found that most Short Term Accommodation is located along the coastal areas of Queensland.

“It is no surprise that the review revealed short-term rentals are most prevalent in high tourism coastal areas like Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Noosa, Douglas, Whitsunday, Cairns, Moreton Bay, and Townsville,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.

According to Councillor Bauman, 4.6 percent of all of Queensland Short Term Accommodation properties are within the Whitsunday region, while only having 0.7 per cent of Queensland population.

“Individuals staying in Short Term Accommodation do not care where they park, or how much noise they make, or whether or not they are upsetting residents,” said Mr Bauman.

“They are a demographic looking for a good time, in a circumstance where they are not staying for a long time.”

Councillor Jan Clifford said she will continue to vote against Short Term Accommodation in residential suburbs.

“The Airlie bowl is a different situation; it’s where you expect people to have a good time,” she said.

“Two years ago, I asked for a local law, and I know it’s sitting on some bureaucrats desk.”

At the moment, there are four appeals in court, to revisit the Councils refusal of Short-Term Accommodation applications.

“In my professional view, there is a reduced limited likelihood of success,” said Director Neil McGaffin, when asked about the chances of winning these court cases.

“How can we keep sustaining the costs of these court cases, when we’ve got to stay within what the directors recommend,” said Councillor John Collins.

“We need to look at the big picture, not personal opinion.”

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