By MEGAN OGLE
LOCAL resort managers are calling on council to act now and protect Noosa’s booming tourist industry.
Noosa River Retreat Resort manager Andrea Stokje said a growing number of permanent residents in holiday accommodation was greatly affecting Noosa’s tourism industry and putting resort managers out of business.
“The number of permanent residents, either owner occupiers or permanent tenants, who are taking up residency in holiday accommodation has been increasing at an alarming rate over the past three years,” Ms Stokje said.
“This doesn’t just affect the accommodation industry, but the whole community, all the other small businesses that benefit from tourism.
“With our industry the effect every time a permanent resident takes up residence in the property we manage is that we lose income and our business value decreases.”
Noosa Keys Resort manager Chris Pullin shares Ms Stokje’s concerns saying permanent residents in holiday accommodation meant fewer beds for tourists and less income for resort managers and tourist operators.
“Unemployment will go through the roof and council will lose most of its tourist funding from governments,” he said.
“This town has no other industry apart from tourism and if there is nowhere affordable to stay no-one will come.
“The increasing number of owner occupiers in holiday resorts is a disaster about to happen.”
Mr Pullin said he “feared” for the management rights and tourist industries unless “firm, direct and assertive” action was taken by council.
Coco Bay Resort manager Deb Schwerin said she also wanted to see more action taken by council.
“We need the council to address this issue sooner rather than later,” she said.
“The council needs to protect the tourism industry so it continues to create jobs and business opportunities for the area and make plans for affordable housing to accommodate residents outside of the resorts and holiday houses.
“We are now a worldwide tourist destination and our popularity is growing at a greater rate than most places in Australia.
“It would be disappointing to start turning visitors away now because we can’t accommodate them.”
