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

As expected, the competing interests for housing stock between permanent residents and
visitors / tourists was identified as a key issue, as was the variability of the dwelling stock
moving interchangeably between visitor accommodation and permanent resident
accommodation.
At the time the HNA2017 was prepared, the rise of short-term accommodation in residential
areas and its implications on residential amenity, housing stock and affordability was only
starting to be appreciated, as was the community sentiment around short-term
accommodation impacts. The uncertainty around maintaining and securing long term housing
stock, as well as tourist accommodation, whilst recognised and a complex issue, was also not
fully appreciated.
The competition for existing and limited future dwelling stock created a level of uncertainty
around providing adequate housing to meet current and future resident needs and resulted in
some competing discussions in the HNA2017 on how the accommodation needs of both
visitors and residents could be met.
Below is an extract summary of the key findings of the Housing Needs Assessment Report
2017 as it related to housing for residents. Tourist / visitor accommodation needs arising from
the HNA2017 are addressed in section 2.5.


2.3.1 Housing in the Noosa Context
The Housing Needs Assessment (HNA2017) was considered within the Noosa context, its
existing housing stock, household composition, unique environmental setting, historical
development and desirability both as a place to live and visit. The HNA2017 identified this
context as:
           Noosa Shire is a very desirable place to live with a low level of population growth,
           and as such, housing availability is limited and some members of the community
           struggle to find housing suitable to their needs and circumstances.
           Housing stock is noticeably dominated by detached houses and semi-attached or
           attached housing of at least three bedrooms which appears somewhat
           incongruous given a majority of households are made up of just one or two people.
           However the free market system has meant that historically, subdivided lots and
           dwellings have been built to meet a market that the developer believes will offer
           the most dollar return. Dwellings are also built with resale in mind and four
           bedrooms and two garages has been the preferred norm for houses. While in
           earlier years two-bedroom units were quite common, three bedrooms have
           undoubtedly become the standard.
           Noosa Shire has a desirable environmental setting and the built form and business
           offerings have been of a high standard compared to many other coastal
           settlements. It should come as no surprise then that land and property commands
           a higher price than many other places and thereby attracts many well-resourced
           residents. Investors who purchase dwellings also impact on purchase price
           through added competition with potential resident-owners. The investor then seeks
           the highest and best rental return whether by resident or visitor.
           It is important to view these factors within the historic development and planning
           of Noosa Shire. This was based on a population concept which identified a
           development carrying capacity and a clear plan for future growth was adopted in
           accordance with that. It has not been the case of development at all costs.
           However      maintaining     good     planning    standards     with   a   defined
           population/development capacity was always ultimately going to lead to higher
           priced real estate.
           Quality of development was preferred to quantity and at times it was a case of ‘less
           is more’. Market conditions have favoured the affluent in coastal and prime
                                                                                         pg. 17
Noosa Council Monitoring Report 2022/23