2022-11-14 GC Agenda - Item 4 - Attachment 1 - Short Term Accommodation Monitoring Report 2022

55 identified a need for affordable housing, 20 identified a need to stop short term
accommodation / AirBnBs and 2 respondents wanted no more development or high rise.



Part 4 Discussion of issues and analysis
This part provides a summary of the key issues and implications identified in this report both
prior to the commencement of Noosa Plan 2020 and the 2 years since its operation.
An economic and social assessment prepared by AEC on the provisions of NP2020 and the
proposed amendments to NP2020 as they relate to short term accommodation is included in
section 4.6 of this Part.
Whilst the provisions in the former NP2006 and current NP2020 dictate the landuse outcomes
in Noosa Shire, there are wider implications for short term accommodation, housing, economy
and community beyond the influence of a planning scheme, particularly the impacts of COVID
19 and the national housing crisis.
However, it is clear, the use of dwellings for short term accommodation directly affects housing
supply and affordability and long term housing security. This in turn impacts the most
vulnerable residents in the community, the economy and tourism and the social fabric of
Noosa. The impacts of which are current and long lasting.
Likewise, the uptake of land dedicated for tourist accommodation and tourist activities by
residents compromises the availability and operation of tourist accommodation.
Below is a summary of the key issues around short term accommodation, housing, economy
and the community.


4.1 Housing and tourist accommodation
The supply of dwellings in Noosa Shire is considered adequate, however the use of those
dwellings is of concern. In particular, the high number of properties being used for short term
accommodation coupled with unoccupied dwellings, impact the supply and availability of
dwellings for residents.
Legacy issues
Prior to the commencement of Noosa Plan 2020, the former Noosa Plan 2006 had a strong
focus on the delivery of tourism related outcomes including the provision and protection of all
forms of visitor accommodation, often over the provision of permanent residential housing.
Legacy issues from previous planning schemes, with multiple dwellings having
interchangeable use rights for both permanent and short-term uses, coupled with a dwelling
house being able to be used for short-term accommodation, resulted in large parts of the
coastal urban area becoming a mix of permanent residents and visitors. There was no
understanding of the actual supply or long term security of housing for permanent residents or
visitor accommodation, with the movement of dwellings between the two uses going unnoticed.
Whilst Noosa Plan 2006 identified sites for the development of hotel or other forms of visitor
accommodation, the provisions within NP2006 continued to facilitate a mix of permanent
residents and visitors throughout various zones and large parts of the coastal urban area.
There was no clarity or hierarchy of landuse between the use of a dwelling for permanent
housing or visitor accommodation within the zones, leaving it largely to the market to dictate
the outcome. The application of the Attached Housing zone and Visitor Mixed Use zone was
inconsistent and often provided no clarity on whether a site was intended for visitors or
permanent residents.
Residential amenity was seen as the main impact arising from visitor accommodation in
residential areas, with the impacts on housing supply yet to be experienced at the time.

                                                                                        pg. 125
Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23