By Margaret Maccoll
Shot term accommodation was the hot topic of discussion when Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie headed a community meeting on the new Noosa Plan at Peregian Beach on Sunday.
Cr Wilkie told residents the new plan aimed to better manage short-term accommodation (STA) with the area east of David Low Way to be designated for STAs and that west of the David Low Way to be considered outside the STA area. The changes will enable council to better regulate the numbers of tenants and cars and disturbances.
Party houses will be banned from the shire.
“This is a mechanism for regulation,” he said. “At the moment council has no mechanism to regulate these operations.”
This significant change to the Noosa plan will require a property owner on the west of the highway to apply to council for a material change of use to short-term lease their property. When asked the cost of the process a council officer at the meeting said a cost had not yet been set as the change was still a proposal.Glen from Holiday Homes of Noosa told the meeting his business managed a number of holiday homes in Peregian and Marcus beaches with about half east of David Low Way and half west of the motorway.
“A big chunk of people will be effected,” he said.
He asked council if the basis for the division line being the roadway was based on the numbers of complaints but the number of complaints could not be provided.
Cr Wilkie said property owners who rented out a room while remaining in the house would be regarded as operating a home business and not be affected by the proposed changes. He said statistics showed there was less impact on the neighbourhood in terms of noise and extra cars in these types of rentals compared to those when a whole house was rented. “We’ve found when the owner is onsite it’s better managed,” he said.The meeting was told no proposed amendments are set in stone. All are open to comment and all submissions will be properly considered.
Residents have until 20 May to make submissions to council on the new Noosa plan. To have your say visit yoursay.noosa.qld.gov.au
