Submission - Holly Pittman - MCU200097.msg

Subject: Development Permit for Material Change of Use - Short Term Accommodation Application Ref: MCU20/0097
From: holly pittman
Date: 2020-11-22T03:10:32+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Dear Council Officers,

I own, and reside permanently, in unit 1/7 Weyba St, Sunshine Beach.

We have obtained and read the proposal submitted by Project Urban on behalf of the recent purchasers of unit 27A
I reject the arguments of the application and request that Council not approve this application.
The main concern I have with this application is the loss of Amenity to the Entire Neighbourhood that Sunshine Beach is currently experiencing.

Council’s Short-Term Accommodation Guide and the quotes from Strategic Intent contained in the proposal acknowledge that the interests of short-term visitors are not consistent with, and can be incompatible to, the interests of permanent residents. Neighbourhoods of permanent residents should be ‘protected from influxes of short-term visitors whose interests and priorities are not compatible with residential amenity’. It is patently clear that this proposed increase of Short Term Accommodation in this area will experience diminished residential amenity.

It is also clear that if this material change of use is approved for unit 27A, unit 27B would in turn have a very clear case; indeed incentive; to also apply for a similar change of use.

I built my property in conjunction with my friend almost 20 years ago, to be used  as a residential property in a predominantly residential zone that is classified as Medium Density. Council has advised (Short Term Accommodation Guide 15 October 20200) that this zone” is intended for permanent residential living mixed with some visitor accommodation” Whilst I have not found any evidence of how Council defines  “some”, it is my belief that the quantity of visitor short term accommodation has been reached and there should be no more permitted in this area. Each and every approval for this type of accommodation reduces the amenity of this neighbourhood. The question is asked – at what point does Council say we have enough?

In the last few months the house next door to mine (9 Weyba Street) has been vacated and is now let through air bnb.  The last two groups of guests have been young people who have partied day and night. This is extremely distressing for me (I am a single woman) and I have had to become a kind of vigilante, complaining to the property manager at all times of the night.  The owners, who used to live there, were quiet, respective and considerate. Across the street, rifht at this moment, another air bnb house is full of schoolies hanging off the balcony and drinking.  Vehicles are parked on the footpath, on the Council verge - just about everywhere except in the driveway. Thus I am personally experiencing the effects short term rentals can have.

Weyba Street has been a street full of families with young children and pets. It is indeed a sad state when residences become known as party houses, placing permanent rate paying residencies safety and peace of mind at risk.

I believe Council has an obligation to protect our amenity and interests, as an existing permanent resident and owner of a residential property in a residential zone, from encroachment of a short-term letting commercial enterprise. This Development Application, if approved, is one more step in destroying the amenity of our neighbourhood. It sets dangerous precedents for the entire area of Sunshine Beach.
Council should preserve the residential amenity and character of this predominantly permanent resident neighbourhood and protect permanent resident properties from the adverse affects of ongoing short-term holiday letting.
Also to compare the management of this site with surrounding larger commercial enterprises is not logical nor valid. These generally have on-site managers that continually monitor and police their guests. To suggest that an off-site caretaker will be able to provide the same outcome is ludicrous and naive. Off site managers cannot provide adequate timely control and supervision of properties they manage (as is the case with the house next to mine).

I submit it would be completely inappropriate for Council to approve the proposed material change of use - short-term holiday accommodation for unit 27A Hill St.
Approving the proposal would set an undesirable precedent for change of use.

I strongly request Council reject application ref MCU20/0097

Holly Pittman
1/7 Weyba Street
Sunshine Beach 4567