A residents’ group affected by holiday letting have rebuffed comments by Greens mayor Simon Richardson over their view as to how best to handle the issue.
In last week’s article, Byron’s mayor shares his thoughts on holiday letting, mayor Richardson said, ‘The precinct model was the fairest model I thought – but there was no appetite by the holiday-let organisation, the victims of holiday let or by the state government.’
But Victims Of Holiday Letting (VOHL) said that is ‘not quite correct.’
VOHL co-ordinator Doug Luke says his group were ‘hungry for precincts or zones.’
‘Our original preferred position was and remains for Byron Shire Council to take illegal holiday lets to court including The Land and Environment Court, (LEC).
‘VOHL would still prefer this as it demonstrates Council’s legal responsibility and duty of care towards residents. Our numerous submissions and letters have supported this.’
‘A majority of councillors on the previous Council voted not to take legal action.
‘There have been a number of LEC judgments, including the landmark Dobrohotoff v Bennic (Terrigal case) in May 2013, that have shown holiday letting is illegal in residential zones. NSW LEC case law is clear and consistent: mixing short-term letting with permanent residential occupants is “fundamentally incompatible.”
Unsupportive govt
Luke says, ‘When legal action did not eventuate, VOHL then examined the concept of precincts or zones for holiday letting.
‘This had also been put forward by Council under [former Greens mayor] Jan Barham.
‘Unfortunately, the NSW DPE would not accept this and suggested the “open model” plan where holiday letting is allowed in any zone where a residence is legal.
‘VOHL has consistently supported Byron Shire Council in developing a policy of registration and regulation that puts the onus on owners/managers to avoid and/or resolve problems with holiday lets that continue to adversely affect neighbouring residents. VOHL would welcome support from state government following the latest reshuffle.
‘VOHL is grateful that the mayor and his “new” Council are prepared to act in the best interests of residents and offer them some overdue protection from rampant short-term letting, including Airbnb.’
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