Following Sandy’s Question on Notice during Parliament in May 2021, we have received the following update to our recent inquiries from Minister Hinchliffe’s office regarding short term lets:

  • A meeting of the Industry Reference Group (IRG) occurred on 5th October 2021, co-chaired by the Directors-General of Department of Tourism, Innovation & Sport (DTIS) and Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government & Planning (DSDILGP).
  • Noosa Council was represented in this meeting by Cr Brian Stockwell as proxy for Mayor Stewart.
  • Although no further IRG meetings are planned, the co-chairs outlined during the meeting, that government’s consideration of Short Term Accommodation (STA) issues going forward would strategically involve the following actions:
    • Noosa Shire Council’s two-year monitoring, evaluation and advice in relation to the new Noosa Plan, and is meeting Council’s objectives
    • DSDILGP holding discussions with AirBNB and Stayz outside of the IRG in terms of STAs and QLD’s planning policy/framework
    • Leveraging other existing long-standing industry forums and industry engagement mechanisms (such as tourism, land supply and housing) outside of the IRG to maintain a watching brief on STA issues and monitor any future need for intervention

Noosa Council have not raised this issue with our office for any further state government assistance since the October 2021 meeting.

We understand from resident enquiries and our investigations that there remains an issue with properties able to continue with STA due to legal issues relating to ‘existing rights’. Whilst we are waiting for a response from the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, about any changes possible to current legislation and whether any such changes could be applied retrospectively, we understand that there are also difficulties within the wording of Noosa Council’s previous Noosa Plan that may also further complicate any possible benefits from state legislation changes.

Further state government updates will be provided as soon as available. Any queries relating to Noosa Council’s Noosa Plan or Local Laws should be emailed via mail@noosa.qld.gov.au or contact Councillors https://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/927/contact-list-councillors