All avenues have been pursued. All avenues continue to be pursued.
Why hasn’t it worked? One could volunteer a response.
NSW has legislation – excellent legislation – which lays out exactly how this situation can and has been handled to date. We are also endowed with a long line of excellent case law, courtesy of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Three hours ago correspondence was sent to NSW Ministers in relation to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000. This NSW legislation is clear, plus reference was made to the fact that it very much appeared to have built upon as the result of Coroner’s Inquiries and Inquests. Two hour ago that correspondence was followed up with details of another Coroner’s report dated yesterday, which had just come to hand, which made specific reference to the Act mentioned above. Minister Matt Kean and his Department of Innovation and Better Regulation have been sent a clear message yesterday by the Coroner.
All this has just been passed through to a forum currently underway in Byron – NSW Residents there can check with Councillors and local campaigners when their session today finishes. Professor Nicole Gurran from Sydney University is helping them with data and also presenting at the forum.
Residents of NSW should feel a sense of relief that our legislation is so excellent. The word is “should”. Unfortunately our Legislators are ignorant of or deliberately choosing to ignore all legislation.
The position taken by ‘Millie’ and others with regards to short-term holiday rentals always refers back to legislation and the basis upon which Residents have purchased strata or property in R2 or R4 residential zones. The position is based on legislation and consistent with that taken by the Accommodation Association of Australia.
By way of contrast, Tourism Accommodation Australia’s position is (surprisingly) different; they are in partnership with Stayz/Expedia. TAA is connected with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), “the national voice of Australia’s hotel and liquor industry”.
By way of advice, ARAMA is hooking Expedia into big battle against any limits whatsoever on short-term letting in NSW.
Members of the NSW Parliament never let up on how valuable short-term rentals are to our State Economy. Minister Matt Kean refers repeatedly and only to a report volunteered by Airbnb. State Parliament has written that they have not sought any legal advice…and they’re relying on figures from Airbnb?
And has anyone noted which MPs chose to abstain from voting on the Fair Trading Amendment Bill and indeed which MPs (with conflicts of interest) did indeed vote?
Our Members of Parliament must be called out on all the legislation they are ignoring, plus the fact that – particularly those in Strata – hold title deeds on residential property, plus there are Determination of Develoment Applications, which clearly state that our strata properties are for “permanent residential accommodation only and not for the purposes of a hotel, motel, serviced apartments tourist accommodation or the like“.