2023-03-07 Planning & Environment Meeting Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    7 MARCH 2023


3    SHORT STAY LETTING OR HOME HOSTED ACCOMMODATION LOCAL LAW – 12
     MONTH REVIEW

Author           Principal Strategic Planner, Anita Lakeland
                 Environment and Sustainable Development Department

Index            ECM/ 37.15 Local Law No. 1 Amendments – Short Stay Letting

Attachments      Nil

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On 21 October 2021 Council resolved to make Subordinate Local Law – Schedule 21A Operation
of Short Stay Letting or Home Hosted Accommodation (the local law) which commenced operation
on 1 February 2022.
Council also resolved to undertake a 12 month review of the operation of the local law, to determine
if any changes were needed to enhance its operation, and to establish a multi-interest stakeholder
group for ongoing consultation including input into the review process.
As part of the review, consultation was undertaken with a range of stakeholders from the short
term accommodation (STA) industry sector operating in Noosa as well as representatives from
Noosa resident and community interest groups. Engagement with the stakeholders included a
questionnaire and a stakeholder meeting.
Implementation of the local law has been well received, with a greater than expected number of
applications made under the local law in the first 12 months of its operation and positive responses
from stakeholders on the improvements that have been implemented to the management of
complaints and the 24/7 hotline.
A review of the local law’s operation and feedback from the multi-interest stakeholder group has
indicated the local law is working well and no changes are required to the content or requirements
of the local law.
However, improvements were identified to other frameworks supporting the local law, including
application processing and system improvements, increased resources, better communication and
explanatory material and compliance and enforcement measures. As a result of the review and
stakeholder feedback a number of actions are proposed to improve the ongoing implementation of
the local law, which are outlined in this report.
Whilst the matter of exemptions from the local law were raised, this will be further looked at
separately as part of the review of the Tourist Accommodation zone currently underway.
The resource implications and funding options were also reviewed, including the previously
deferred introduction of an annual renewal fee. It is proposed the ongoing implementation of the
local law will be funded on a cost recovery basis, through application fees and the introduction of
an annual renewal fee. The renewal fee is proposed to be introduced from 30 June 2023 and apply
to all properties approved under the local law on an ongoing annual basis whilst the property
continues to operate short stay letting or home hosted accommodation. The annual renewal fee is
proposed on a sliding scale depending on the approval type under the local law.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Principal Strategic Planner to the Planning & Environment
Committee Meeting dated 7 March 2023 and
A.   Note the 12 month review of the Local Law has been completed;
B.   Undertake the range of actions identified in this report to improve the implementation of the
     Short Stay Letting or Home Hosted Accommodation Local Law, and specifically:

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