Short term holiday letting in the Byron Shire – what’s next?

Short term holiday letting in the Byron Shire – what’s next?

Published on 05 July 2023

Following the release of the NSW Independent Planning Commission’s (IPC) report on its inquiry into Short Rental Accommodation (STRA) in the Byron Shire, Council is revising its current planning proposal for presentation to the NSW Government.

The IPC released its report in April with 12 recommendations.

One recommendation was a cap of 60-days on exempt non-hosted STRA in all parts of the Byron Shire.

Another recommendation was a streamlined development consent process for people to apply for approval to rent their non-hosted STRA for more than 60 days a year.  

Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said the IPC’s report was a strong endorsement of the work Council has done, and continues to do, to address local housing supply and long-term rental accommodation availability in the Shire.

“The question we are getting asked now is, what’s next?” Mayor Lyon said.

“I have written to the NSW Planning Minister outlining how we will be able to implement the recommendations in the IPC report.

“This includes the development of a planning pathway for people who wish to holiday let their properties.

“We have also highlighted our strong support for the IPC recommendation regarding Council being able to collect an annual registration fee from STRA owners.

“This is essential for proper management of the scheme, including compliance, but it is also necessary to deal with the infrastructure repair burden that high visitation places on our Shire.

“We will also be investing in the resources required to ensure development applications for non-hosted STRA are processed efficiently.

“We are looking at compliance and enforcement arrangements to give confidence to the Planning Minister, and our community, of Council’s ability to actually monitor compliance of STRA in the Shire,” Mayor Lyon said.

“I expect that the NSW Government will approve the planning proposal that will allow us to put in place a local regulatory framework to support a 60-day cap on unhosted STRA in the Byron Shire,” Mayor Lyon said.

“Key to our negotiations with the Government is demonstrating that we, as a Council, are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to deliver lasting solutions to the housing crisis, with regulation of STRA just one piece of the jigsaw,” he said.

Some of Council’s current projects and initiatives are:

Preparation and lodgment of a separate planning proposal to rezone the old Mullumbimby hospital site, including an increase to the building height limit to 11.5m, to increase the potential yield for affordable and diverse housing. Moving ahead with plans to develop a Council-owned carpark in Mullumbimby to provide 32 one and two-bedroom units and studios for 100% affordable housing in perpetuity. A refresh of our Residential Lands Strategy to address our long-term housing needs through a mix of actions and approaches to housing location, type, and delivery.

“We are also expecting the first planning proposal to be lodged under our Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme in the coming days,” Mayor Lyon said.

Information on the Affordable Housing Contribution Scheme is on Council’s website.

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