[Greens-Media] Holiday letting eroding community

[David Mallard]

The Greens NSW Tourism spokesperson and Byron Shire resident, Jan
Barham MLC, has warned that Byron Shire Council's Draft Short Term
Holiday Accommodation Strategy is a recipe for the erosion of
community in Byron Shire.

“The changes to the planning process proposed by Byron Shire Council
would allow holiday letting in all residential areas and diminish the
already limited stock of available housing and change the character of
Byron Shire,” said Ms Barham.

“The proposal makes a mockery of strategic planning and has had no
Social Impact Assessment, which would be required for rezoning
residential land for tourism. The council is already under pressure to
deliver more residential housing and that was evident in the State
Government’s recent approval of the West Byron development.

“The problem with the unapproved use of dwellings for tourism purposes
has been an issue in Byron Shire for over a decade and has caused
great concern in the community. Currently there are estimates of at
least 900 houses approved as residential dwellings being used for
tourism purposes. This unapproved use means that permanent residents
are deprived access to housing and equates to about 2500 people unable
to be housed.”

Ms Barham noted that the legal situation prohibiting holiday letting
was clear and that the NSW Government needed to support councils to
act in enforcing the law as it stands.

“A recent Land and Environment Court judgment relating to holiday
letting in the Gosford area makes clear that the use of dwellings for
short term tourism purposes in residential zoned areas is prohibited.
Byron Shire Council has tried to deal with the problems with the
unapproved use but has been thwarted by the state government in the
regulation of the use or taking legal action.

“In the past when Byron council sought to take action it was requested
to desist by the State Government with an assurance that they were
addressing the issue. What eventuated was Government support for
industry regulation. It is outrageous for the same Government that
imposes unwanted development on communities to fail to support
councils’ efforts to ensure existing housing is available for
residential use.

“While tourism is an important economic benefit to the shire, it
should not come at the erosion of the community that has protected and
created this iconic destination. Council should be acting on the
current legal situation rather than considering an approach that would
contribute to the lack of affordability and availability of properties
and change the character of the community,” Ms Barham concluded.

For Further Comment, please contact Jan Barham directly on 0447 853 891