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The NSW Government has released a discussion paper and is seeking community input which will inform a comprehensive review of Short-Term rental Accommodation (STRA) on the Central Coast.
This is an important next step as the NSW Government continues to look at ways to address the housing crisis in NSW.
Led by the Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Rose Jackson, the four-week public consultation opened with the release of a discussion paper and an online questionnaire.
Through this review the NSW Government will work with all stakeholders to ensure outcomes contribute meaningfully to increasing housing affordability, and stability on the Central Coast.
Specific feedback which will be sought and considered throughout this process includes:
- The adequacy of the STRA planning and regulatory framework, and options for improvement.
- Potential policy options, including measures to incentivise property investors to make properties available for long-term rental accommodation.
In NSW, housing affordability and availability are at their lowest levels in decades. Even though NSW has the largest population, it is last on the east coast when it comes to housing completion. Building approvals and construction activity have slowed while build costs have skyrocketed.
Rental vacancies are low and there are more than 55,000 people on the waitlist for social housing. In one week, two independent reports highlighted the magnitude of the housing crisis facing Australia’s most populous state.
An analysis by Homelessness NSW showed that homelessness has risen across 58 of the state’s 128 local government areas in the past year alone.
The NSW Government review and potential reform of STRA alone is not a silver bullet but it is an important step towards fixing existing structural issues in the housing market.
All options are on the table in this review and the NSW Government looks forward to seeing extensive feedback from industry as well as the community.
Visit the website for more information and to have your say.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: “We’re hoping to better balance housing availability for the people of NSW with the benefits that tourism brings to local communities.
“We’re in a housing crisis, so it’s important we look at every available option to boost housing supply, including a shift from non-hosted short-term rentals to long term rental.
“We’ve already endorsed the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) recommendation to tighten the cap on some non-hosted short-term rentals in Byron Shire, and other recommendations made by the IPC will be considered as part of this broader STRA review.”
Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson added: “We’re determined to do everything we can to tackle the housing crisis and put every part of the housing market under the microscope for options to encourage a greater supply of long-term rental accommodation.
“We are keen to hear from the community on how various aspects of regulatory and revenue measures can be designed to get the best outcome.”
“This review will inform our approach to make better use of all forms of housing, including short term rentals, vacant property and holiday homes. This includes looking at ways to move some of this housing to the long-term rental market and to minimise its negative impacts on the housing market as well as what we can do to support homelessness services across NSW.”
Member for Swansea, Yasmin Catley, said: “Swansea locals consistently raise with me the challenges in securing an affordable long-term rental property and the impact short-term rentals are having on the market. I encourage all Coasties to take part in the consultation process.”
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch repeated that the NSW Government is committed to addressing housing supply. “With rental vacancies at an all-time low on the Central Coast, a review of short-term rental accommodation is an important element of these once in a generation reforms. I encourage everyone in our community to have their say.”
“This is a crucial milestone in our commitment to addressing the housing crisis,” said Member for The Entrance, David Mehan. “Our focus is on finding a balanced solution that supports local communities, the visitor economy, and jobs, while also addressing the homelessness, housing, and rental crisis.”
“This is an opportunity for our community to actively participate in the decision-making process. I encourage everyone to engage with the discussion paper, share your insights, and contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive housing future for all.”
I was shocked one evening a few months ago to see almost all the waterfront apartments in some buildings at the Entrance had no lights on- indicating they were empty. This was (from memory) at least 100 apartments