21 C
Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Report illegal holiday-letting to Council

Latest News

Blue skies for Bluesfest day 1

If yesterday at Bluesfest was anything to go by, it's going to be an incredible event and with the weather holding, (so far) the Easter weekend's future is looking bright.

Other News

Premier yet to respond to Albo’s offer of disaster recovery funds

Northern Rivers community groups are renewing calls for the NSW premier to formally ask the Commonwealth to fully fund the region's 2022 disaster recovery.

Democracy on the ropes?

The ancient idea of democracy is under threat around the world. Today, there are only 63 democracies compared to 74 autocracies, and many of these democracies are highly problematic.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Lismore Labor MP called out over native forest logging

More than five hundred people marched in the rain through Lismore to the local state member’s office in protest against government sanctioned native forest logging on Sunday.

Queer family visibility

Did you know that, statistically, if you’ve met a redhead, you’ve also met a trans person? Over 800 trans and gender diverse people live in the Byron Shire, which includes at least 200 children. They’re often a bit hidden though, so come on down and celebrate with them this Trans Day of Visibility!

Hiatus Beers

Launched to market in July 2022, Hiatus Beers is all about brewing crisp, refreshing, full-flavoured, non-alcoholic beer.  The founders...

Doug Luke, Co-ordinator VOHL.

Victims of Holiday Letting (VOHL) congratulate Byron Shire Council on their recent update on their website of information about illegal short term holiday letting (STHL) in our shire. Council recognises that holiday letting damages residential amenity. 

Quoting from this information ‘Holiday letting is not a new issue. Council resolutions, bought about due to the rise in complaints, on the subject of STHL date back to 2003. Complaints include:

  • Prohibited development in residential areas
  • Loss of neighbourhood amenity
  • Noise and antisocial behaviour, particularly from late-night parties
  • Excessive numbers of people and cars
  • Parking which may block driveways or impede visibility and traffic movement
  • Excess or poorly managed garbage.

In addition to these adverse impacts, housing affordability and stock has also became an issue with houses being purchased specifically for holiday letting purposes, therefore decreasing the available stock in the rental market.’

Council is currently using a number of options to prosecute illegal holiday letting. This includes prosecution in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

On Council’s webpage is a tab to report problem, illegal holiday letting. We urge all residents who have their residential amenity damaged by illegal holiday letting to report it to council enforcement. You do not have to tolerate this damage.

 

 


Support The Echo

Keeping the community together and the community voice loud and clear is what The Echo is about. More than ever we need your help to keep this voice alive and thriving in the community.

Like all businesses we are struggling to keep food on the table of all our local and hard working journalists, artists, sales, delivery and drudges who keep the news coming out to you both in the newspaper and online. If you can spare a few dollars a week – or maybe more – we would appreciate all the support you are able to give to keep the voice of independent, local journalism alive.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Bring on the prosecutions against illegal holiday letting Byron Shire Council. At last count, October 2017, there were 2650 homes in our Shire listed on Airbnb. That represents 17% of the Shire’s housing stock. Forget about affordable rental in Byron Bay.

    Prosecution by Council includes class 5 criminal prosecution in the Land and Environment Court. When Council wins, and all the legal precedents support their case, then not only will the illegal holiday let owner have to pay Council’s legal fees but they will have to pay a fine up to $1.1 million. For each day continuing to illegally holiday let past the order date to cease holiday letting a further fine of $110,000/day applies. Corporations pay higher fines.

    Illegal holiday lets, save yourself a heap of money and a bunch of headaches by ceasing holiday letting in Byron Shire today. Don’t be a crook. Abide by the law

  2. Thank you VOHL for bringing this important info to my attention. Thank you Council for starting prosecution of illegal holiday letting in the LEC. Very long overdue but very relieved that this has started.

    I have had an illegal holiday let next to me for almost 3 years. Extremely badly managed by the owner who bought the property to just illegally holiday let. I read the list of damage that can happen from holiday letting which was provided by Council. Every single item listed has damaged our residential amenity. The last problem happened nearly 2 weeks ago with the holiday let occupants returning from a night partying in Byron CBD at 2am. They continued their party.The Police shut them up at 3am. No wonder holiday letting has such a poor reputation in Byron Shire.

    I know all the so called arguments about the benefits of illegal holiday letting. But, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Those who are financially benefiting from illegal holiday letting, such as real estate agents and management businesses, are aiding and abetting an illegal activity.

    I have researched all the legal cases against illegal holiday letting. Because of these precedents I am 100%confident that Council will win. With this case as a Byron Shire precedent I will launch my own case as a class 4 action in the LEC against the out of control illegal holiday let that is my neighbour. I hope many others do the same. Enough is enough!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Retired local professor launches book on grief

A leading international thinker and researcher in the development of innovative sport coaching and physical education teaching has returned home to Byron Bay and is launching his first non-academic book, 'Grief and Growth', on April 4 at The Book Room in Byron. 

Resilient Lismore’s ‘Repair to Return’ funding

On the eve of the second anniversary of the second devastating flood in 2022, Resilient Lismore has welcomed the finalisation of its funding deed with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, which will enable the continuation of its ‘Repair to Return’ program.

Editorial – Joyous propaganda! 

The NSW Labor government marked its one year in office this week with a jubilant statement of achievements issued from Macquarie Street HQ.

Man charged over domestic violence and pursuit offences – Tweed Heads

A man has been charged following a pursuit near Tweed Heads on Monday.