I need enlightenment on this Airbnb thing. I hear the argument to limit and constrain homeowners from subletting their property for temporary housing, and believe it’s misguided and even dangerous. It harkens back to the ill-fated remarks: ‘Sure, I believe in free speech, to a point.’
Is it the desire of Byron Shire to limit themselves (or rather, others) of a fair market opportunity to capitalise on their personal property? Rather, opting for said property to be delegated to long-term rental – thus shoring up the lack of affordable housing?
See, this is where I start to get lost… in a world where we’ve all become our own brand, the gig economy has risen to nearly one-third of the world’s working population. That says something about the direction we’ve taken as a society – good or bad – it’s what we’ve become. I would argue it’s grown from the need to self-sustain rather than relying on corporate behemoths that have little care for individual need. We’ve taken to taking care of ourselves.
Isn’t it fair and just that a person be able to provide the much-needed service of temporary housing for vacationers and travellers throughout the region – using their personal asset to enrich their service staff, local shops and restaurants and, dare I say, themselves?
Temporary accommodation platforms allow the host to dial-in a market price based on scenarios including, most importantly, demand.
Hosts meet the demand, including pricing, amenities and length of stay by allocating the use of their personal property with mitigated risk. This short-term, mutual, well vetted agreement is a win-win for both parties. And, clearly for all of us.
These same temporary dwellers are usually here for a reason – to spend money in local shops, restaurants, venues – where their money contributes to the local economy. The turnover is quick and the cycle starts again. The flow of a feature-rich destination, which has created this tourist mecca.
Are we no longer interested in tourism? If they’re not rocking up in a caravan, where will these vacationers stay? In tents on our beaches? Off the side of the road? Would we rather build a mega-sized Hilton nearby?
The same government that has not provided the region’s necessary affordable housing is the same government telling you to turn your own house into the solution? Is this not somehow backwards and self-serving?
I humbly suggest that the affordable housing issue be solved by a wealthy government (whose salaries are paid by their constituents in exchange for representing their best interests) and not by those who wish to capitalise on their personal decision to join the world’s gig economy.
If it’s not a ‘war on the rich’ then what is it? Why have we directed the issue at homeowners and not the core of the issue itself – the affordable housing crisis? Solve that one and the argument to disallow or limit Airbnbs goes away.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
