New holiday letting laws could mean the end of our communities
Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith says proposed legislation expected to be voted on in August could mean the end of communities as we know them in many areas of Byron and Ballina.
“The short term rental accommodation laws proposed by the Liberal National coalition have no sign of any reining in of holiday letting. The legislation aims to rob local Councils of any controls over short term letting by permitting it 365 days per year without regulation apart from a code of conduct,” said Ms Smith.
“Whole towns on the North Coast could very quickly transform into transient holidaymaker destinations with very few permanent locals. There would be nothing to stop the whole of West Byron, if it gets developed as a residential site, from being bought by investors for holiday letting.
“There would be an additional burden on that vulnerable site of not just ordinary residential traffic, but the increased traffic that comes with two or three or more people in one holiday house together, each with their own cars. There would be few, if any, permanent residents to put down roots, to contribute to sporting clubs or volunteer to care for the community. That’s not a community, that’s a theme park.
“Local councils will not only be robbed of control over holiday letting, they will also be robbed of income through commercial rates from former approved small accommodation providers, who will likely be forced out of business.
“I want to preserve our local communities and stand up for compliant accommodation providers and regional small business owners – the Fair Trading Amendment (Short-term rental accommodation) Bill is a Trojan horse which will lead to uncontrolled holiday letting in our region and across the state,” said Ms Smith.
Tamara Smith will meet with accommodation providers in Byron Shire tomorrow Thursday 26 July 2018 at 1:30pm at the Cavanbah Centre, Ewingsdale Rd.
Sign and share her petition calling for local control of short term holiday letting.