2019-12-11 SM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 1 DRAFT 20191202-Noosa Plan Consultation Report

 Submitter   Submission and Grounds of Submission                                                                           Planners’ Response   Recommendation
             •   Strict limit on the number of people who can stay in any one house that is located in a residential area
                 in short-term stay residences no matter how large the house is.
             •   Number of "guests" allowed to stay should be a capped at 8 guests at all times (no visitors).
             •   Set maximum residents to 8 (still larger than a normal house)
             •   Suggests introducing a limit on the number of holidaymakers able to stay in the AirBnB and Stayz
                 type holiday homes around town in quiet residential streets – 8 (e.g. two couples, 4 kids), no more.
             •   I would like to see Noosa Council restrict holiday rental houses to a maximum of 2 people per
                 bedroom, in addition to the maximum ceiling of 10 per house. The interior should also be sufficiently
                 able to fit everyone indoors as required. Sites example of a 4 bed house, which sleeps 10 (with 2 on
                 sofa bed in lounge) but lacks indoor space so nearly every booking spends 90% of their time on the
                 back deck, overlooking the river.
             •   Mandate a sign out front with a 24/7 mobile number on it that neighbours can call to get problems
                 immediately resolved if things get out of control.
             •   We have been exposed to adjoining and neighbouring properties being rented both in the long term
                 and short stay accommodation markets. Generally, short stay accommodation users are respectful of
                 residents in the neighbourhood. The noise levels experienced from neighbouring long-term tenants,
                 occurring at any given time of any day of the week were noticeably more intrusive than that of the
                 short stay accommodation occupants. The short stay accommodation properties are often unoccupied
                 and remain quiet for most of the week. The short stay visitors were usually parked appropriately in
                 the street, with no obvious difference to the neighbouring long term tenant. Further along the street
                 another long-term tenants' parking habits were more erratic, in terms of street parking position and
                 the number of cars.
             •   We do agree that short stay accommodation providers should contribute to the use of public utilities
                 and tourism promotion initiatives however self-regulation is potentially a more effective means of
                 ensuring that standards are maintained and that owners of short stay accommodation properties align
                 their interests with those of the rest of the property owners and community.
             •   A genuine owner occupier should be able to let out part of their home for Short-term or all of it when
                 they go away. This capacity does not affect the long term rental pool of stock and only enhances
                 local jobs (cleaners, maintenance support etc).
             •   Short-term accommodation should only be allowed without NSC approval in multi-unit areas.
             •   Single residential areas should require an approval because of amenity impacts.
             •   Whole of house Short-term rentals should only be allowed if owners live on site.
             •   Despite numerous complaints Council has not been able to resolve this issue. Submits that Council
                 has been negligent in protecting lifestyle, health (both mental and physical) and property value.
             •   The range of measures taken in other parts of Australia and the world is wide. Some common
                 themes have emerged:
             •   All short stay rentals must be registered with local government and pay appropriate tourism
                 accommodation taxes
             •   The owners and managers of such properties must understand their responsibilities to their
                 neighbours, especially regarding noise and parking. That understanding must be conveyed to the
                 renters
             •   If the on-line platforms refuse to provide such a number, Council should provide a noisy neighbour
                 hotline, as is done at Byron Bay. The Palm Springs “Good Neighbor Brochure” states “a call from the
                 neighbours will bring the Vacation Rental Compliance Officers to your door”. If it proves necessary to
                 employ such staff here, they could be paid for via tourism taxes, which could be higher for online
                 platforms if they refuse to assist in managing complaints
             •   There must be sanctions for noise and parking infringements. Perhaps a warning for the first
                 infringement, then removal of Council approval to run a short stay rental for a subsequent
                 infringement.
             •   Regular neighbour surveys to monitor the impact
             •   Council should apply very strict policy in which Holiday letting registrations are cancelled. Preferably
                 where 3 written validated complaints are received then cancellation of the permit should occur.
             •   Issue of annual permits, with powerful withdrawal powers and fines
             •   Council to have the ability to evict even Short-term tenants
             •   Notification to the Australian Tax Office that the owner is using the property for business purposes
                 use and their full name(s)
             •   Set an upper limit on the number of properties in any one area that can be Short-term rent.



Consultation Report - Consideration of Submissions on the New Noosa Plan                                                                                          Page 34