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

residential land was substantially taken up during the life of NP2006, particularly land for
detached housing.
To support the resident population, a new Catholic high school was established, the Giraween
sports fields and Cooroy Library constructed and two new supermarkets were established in
Noosaville and Tewantin. Additional development at the Shire Business Centre included a full
line supermarket, discount department store, multiple specialty shops, bulky goods retail
showrooms and office floor space.
Tourism was Noosa’s key economic driver attracting a high volume of staying visitors and day
trippers. Tourism bodies sought to attract the high end, longer stay market, gaining Noosa
national and international recognition as a premium destination in Australia.
Whilst tourism was a key economic driver, the diversification of the economy into high value
low impact industries was also desirable. A purpose-built digital hub at Peregian Beach was
constructed for new and emerging technology companies and entrepreneurs, and a large
parcel of land was set aside at the Shire Business Centre for future research and development
industry.
A range of visitor accommodation options spread throughout the urban area, and coupled with
the drive market and day trippers, added considerably to Noosa’s population, increasing traffic
load and pressures on key locations such as Noosa River, Hastings Street and Noosa National
Park, particularly during holiday periods, events and weekends.
Significant tourist accommodation sites were developed including what is now Peppers Resort,
Noosa North Shore Beach Houses and the RACV resort.
In the early stages of NP2006 operation, holiday homes and short stay let houses were
scattered mostly in locations close to Noosa River and beaches and generally not of concern.
Bed and breakfast style accommodation was initially only supported in the hinterland as the
coastal areas were considered to have ample visitor accommodation. During the later stages
of NP2006 home hosted accommodation styles of accommodation were also supported in the
coastal area.
Growth in the digital economy, share economy and how people offer and exchange goods and
services, including accommodation, and where and how people work, was significant during
the life of NP2006.
From 2012 onwards, online booking platforms, (such as Airbnb) saw a progressive growth in
the provision of home hosted accommodation and permanent residential dwellings being used
entirely for short-term accommodation. The lack of 5 star hotel accommodation in Noosa
fueled the demand for high end housing to be used as holiday accommodation which spread
initially from waterfront properties, into residential neighbourhoods. The use of dwellings for
home hosted accommodation also increased, without planning approval, as did the use of
secondary dwellings for short-term accommodation.
Fiscal policy supported the choice of real estate as an investment which was negatively
geared, fueling an investor market in permanent housing and short-term accommodation.
Holiday homes funded by short-term guests when not in use by the owner, increased and
coincided with a noticeable increase in local furniture, manchester and homeware retail
offerings, as well as interior design and styling services. It also saw an increased demand for
property maintenance and management businesses including landscaping and cleaning
services.
Housing prices significantly grew over the life of NP2006 leading to one of the strongest and
most expensive markets in Queensland, with demand, particularly for affordable rental
properties, often outstripping supply.
Shortfalls in the unit and small dwelling market saw the occupation of resort style complexes
by permanent residents. This was a key issue for onsite managers and the visitor


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Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23