Queensland’s first and only short stay local law was introduced almost three years ago, and is already showing positives and negatives.
The quarterly snapshot shows Council has refused 97 short stay applications since 2022.
Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie said fewer potential short-stay properties operating in Noosa meant fewer potential impacts on residential neighbourhoods.
“The data shows 353 properties not operating as potential short-stay letting, as identified by the Local Law registration and approval process,” Mayor Wilkie said.
“This means a reduction in potential impacts on residential amenity – a result reflected in the 45% drop in calls to the complaints hotline from 592 in 2023 to 266 in 2024.
“There are still disturbances and complaints that the hotline is not working as intended and the short-stay team is investigating why this may be happening as part of the local law review. This is why the local law review began earlier last year as promised, and the local law will continue to be pro-actively implemented.
The Short-Stay Letting Local Law Review began in March 2024 to assess its effectiveness and identify weak spots and potential improvements.
Noosa Council’s 2020 town plan announced the council will seek to limit the spread of new short term accommodation in residential neighbourhoods.
In 2022, the short stay letting local law was passed to manage the negative impact of short stay accommodation in residential areas.
“It’s unclear the numbers of potential short-stay properties that have been prevented by the planning scheme and recent scheme amendments, but it would be significant,” Cr Wilkie said.
A report on the findings of the Short-Stay Letting Local Law Review will be presented to Council early in 2025.
