Margie Maccoll
A 12 month review of Noosa Council’s Short Stay Letting Local Law has determined the law is working well and requires no changes but improvements were needed for application processing, compliance and enforcement.
The results of the review were delivered this week to council’s general meeting on Monday where officers reported the review involved consultation with stakeholders from Noosa’s short term accommodation (STA) industry, residents and community interest groups.
As a result of the review a number of actions were proposed, officers said.
The actions include employing two extra staff in work involving application assessment and compliance including undertaking enforcement action on properties operating STAs without approval or displaying approval notices and introducing an annual renewal fee.
“It’s a good step forward,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.
“It will improve the efficiency of the process approval, take action on compliance and it has responded to industry feedback.
“I think these recommendations will go a long way to addressing most if not all of the concerns raised by our community. We are the first council in Queensland to enact a local law for short term letting. We’re making huge strides in this area.”
Cr Tom Wegener said it had been a great educational process that began with the “kerfuffle in the community” to enacting the local law but it still required communication to “knock on the head” the inaccurate information on STAs circulating in the community.
Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie reflected on the local law enactment which began with a call to action from the community to protect amenity.
He said STA’s had resulted in the highest number of complaints compared to any other issue coming to council.
The local law was put in place in the face of enormous criticism including fears it would kill off tourism, but figures show tourism has returned to pre-Covid levels, he said
“Feedback from residents and industry indicate we’re on the right track,” Cr Wilkie said. “It is protecting the resident and visitor experience in Noosa.”
A final decision on the review will be made at council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday evening.
