Move to ban holiday letting in Byron Bay

Authorities in Australia's Byron Bay are clamping down on owners renting out their properties to tourists. The council previously attempted, unsuccessfully, to ban short term holiday letting in Byron Bay but has now drawn up new plans.

Byron Bay Council has incorporated an "urban holiday letting precinct model" in its local environment plan (LEP), reports Australia 's Daily Telegraph.

The model seeks to prohibit short term holiday letting in Suffolk Park, a residential area just south of Cape Byron. According to the council, holiday letting is reducing the supply of accommodation for local workers and people trying to get on the housing ladder. They also argue that holidaymakers disrupt local residents.

However, the move has been met with opposition by some.

John Gudgeon, president of Byron Bay Holiday Letting Organisation, said: "There are certain rights that go with owning a property. Homeowners should have the right to choose whether they want to lease their property."

"We believe there is no difference between letting a property for six months or for two weeks. It's causing a huge amount of consternation for owners."

Byron Bay Council had not carried out research into the economic impact of prohibiting holiday letting in the area, which is dependent on tourism, Gudgeon added.

Before anything is finalised, the council has to send its draft LEP to the state government for approval. It may be months before it is returned to the council.

The council tried to ban holiday letting through its draft LEP in 2006. However, the plans were abandoned following lengthy discussions with property owners and real estate agents.

This story was brought to you by holiday lettings .co.uk, the UK's No.1 holiday home website.

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