Change on the cards for short-term accommodation in Little Grove, Goode Beach under proposed new rules

Little Grove and Goode Beach would be excluded from a new designated short-term accommodation area under a City of Albany plan to keep holiday properties in high-amenity areas and close to tourism attractions. The proposed changes are part of the City’s draft short-term accommodation local planning policy, out for public comment until September 6. It is set to replace the existing holiday accommodation and bed and breakfast policies to ensure short-term accommodation is “located appropriately and minimises adverse impacts on adjoining landowners”. The draft policy aims to encourage hosted and unhosted short-term accommodation in “appropriate locations that enhance the tourism experience and minimise vulnerability to natural hazards”. It also aims to “minimise adverse amenity impacts on neighbouring properties” and ensure “residential areas are protected and maintained primarily for permanent residential purposes”. The new policy excludes personal holiday homes, hotels, motels, chalets and caravan parks. Currently, Little Grove and Goode Beach are included in the “preferred areas for holiday accommodation”. The new policy would create a “designated short-term accommodation area” excluding those two suburbs due to their heightened bushfire risk. The designated area would encompass Albany CBD, Middleton Beach, Mira Mar, Centennial Park, Seppings and parts of Emu Point, Collingwood Park and Mt Melville. Properties outside of the designated area could be approved on a case-by-case basis but must address a variety of factors. City planning and building services manager Jan Van Der Mescht said the policy changes would have no impact on holiday accommodation providers who had already been approved. “This update responds to the strategic direction and policy change from the State Government in relation to short-term accommodation proposals, specifically in determining proposals that exist in bushfire prone areas,” he said. “It is also an opportunity to provide guidance on consistent issues raised during the advertising period for many short-term accommodation proposals, including noise and unruly behaviour.” The draft policy was endorsed by councillors at June’s ordinary meeting. Ahead of the meeting, an officer’s report stated “substantial growth of the informal tourist accommodation sector” through online booking platforms had resulted in an uncertain regulatory environment. “That potentially results in issues of inequity with other service providers, land use conflict and places further pressure on rental markets and housing affordability,” the report said. The State Government is in the process of creating a central registry for hosted and unhosted short-term accommodation. “The City acknowledges the significant role tourism plays in the local economy, while also being aware that each approved holiday house takes a long-term accommodation offering off the market,” Mr Van Der Mescht said. “The short-term accommodation policy aims to help address these conflicting requirements by facilitating holiday accommodation offerings in areas of high tourism value, while ensuring key suburban areas are retained for residential purposes.”