Hospitality operators question delay in State Government’s short-stay sector response

Legitimate operators have questioned the length of time taken by WA’s planning minister to enact reforms into the short-stay accommodation sector.

Despite a 2020 report stemming from a parliamentary inquiry into the plagued issue of short-stays and their knock-on effects on local communities, operators told the Times Minister Rita Saffioti was injecting more uncertainty into the sector by taking so long to clarify her response.

While the Times understands backroom wrangling was under way to prepare for the introduction of a Statewide online registry for licensed operators, residents were increasingly pointing the finger at Airbnb-style outlets, some unlicensed, adding to housing stress for people across the Capes with rental homes going off the market for the sake of more lucrative income.

Figures provided by the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River last month noted 38 new holiday home applications since the start of the year and investigation into 16 compliance issues during the same period.

Among the concerns raised by inertia in the minister’s response was a contentious suggestion that could undermine the Shire’s area-specific planning controls if holiday homes did not require permits if operated for fewer than 90 days per year.

A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said consultation on the draft registration scheme closed in March and considered more than 2000 submissions.

“All responses are currently being carefully reviewed and considered, and will inform the development of a final option for the State Government to consider,” the spokesperson said.

Opposition housing spokesman Steve Martin said the State Government needed to listen to the “dramatic impact” the housing crisis was having in regional WA.

“Despite calls from communities across WA, the Government has been dragging its feet on providing any clarity about any changes to short-stay accommodation regulations,” he told the Times.

“This lack of clarity will prevent investment in much-needed accommodation options in regional WA.”

DPLH said more consultation was needed before legislative changes could take place.