2019-02-12 Attachment 1 to Item 7 - Short Term Accom Online Platform Issues Paper

For clarification, a party house is defined as a premises containing a dwelling that is used to provide,
for a fee, accommodation or facilities for guests if:
   guests regularly use all or part of the premises for parties (bucks parties, hens parties, raves, or
    wedding receptions, for example);
   the accommodation or facilities are provided for a period of less than 10 days; and
   the owner of the premises does not occupy the premises during that period.

In essence, the lawful development or use of a residential dwelling does not include the development
right to operate a party house, unless otherwise approved by local government. These provisions
only take effect if a local government applies the provisions through the planning scheme. Council
will declare the whole Shire a ‘‘party house restricted area’ within the draft new Noosa Planning
Scheme, in addition to the inclusion of restricted short stay areas. This is discussed in further detail
in section 6.1.

Notably, where a local government gives effect to these provisions then a ‘party house’ is a distinct
land use and cannot be considered to be short-term accommodation, holiday rental accommodation,
a reception room, a function facility or other land use separately defined in the planning scheme.

7.3       Airbnb
7.3.1     Financial support of host lawsuits
In 2018, Airbnb financially backed an Airbnb host in New York to file a lawsuit against New York City.
Whilst financially supporting the legal actions of Airbnb hosts in New York City is reflective of the
long-standing discord in this city, it does confirm that Airbnb will go much further than lobbying to
protect and support their hosts, revenue and business model.


7.3.2     Activation of targeted lobbying
Airbnb is actively lobbying in Queensland to minimise the establishment of regulation and data
sharing, through a website (https://www.airbnbcitizen.com/queensland/) and issuing
communications and emails to Airbnb hosts in Queensland.

Following is the content of an email sent to a Noosa-based Airbnb host in July 2018:
    The Queensland Government is currently considering new rules for home sharing. We know
    that our hosts want the right to responsibly and respectfully share their own home without
    having to navigate onerous red tape, like restrictive caps or mandatory registration.

    We also know that powerful special interests are trying to use their influence to restrict home
    sharing. If they succeed, it will make home sharing and traveling harder and more expensive
    for hosts and guests, while hurting the thousands of small businesses that rely on our
    guests.

    We encourage you to let the Premier and Tourism Minister know how important home
    sharing is to you. We know from working with other cities around the world that your voice
    makes the difference. Lawmakers are interested in hearing directly from the Airbnb
    community.

    Join Queensland hosts by sending a message directly to the Premier and Tourism Minister
    about why you value home sharing and the benefits it brings you and your local community.



Short Term Accommodation - Online Platform Response Issues Paper                                 Page 31