We Live Here - Our NewslettersWe Live Here - Our Newslettershttps://www.welivehere.net/newslettersSun, 12 Jan 2025 04:40:38 -0800http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[People Power!]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/202412

Short-stay laws passed in Victoria.
Your voice has been heard!

Happy New Year!



With the backing of Labor and the Greens, the Victorian Parliament has passed an amendment to the Owners Corporation Act, giving apartment owners the ability to vote on regulating short-stay letting within their buildings.


The owners corporation vote would require a 75% consensus—a high threshold that underscores the seriousness of the issue. If the short-stay platforms object to such a robust standard, it only highlights their disregard for community interests.


Local Councils have also been granted enhanced powers to enforce bylaws and address the worst excesses of short-stay platforms. 


The changes also mandate a registration system for operators and a levy on each booking. 


These changes are intended to target the harmful impacts of an industry that has disrupted both high-rise apartments and suburban neighbourhoods.


Restoring community control


This latest legislation is intended to restore community control, long after the ineffective 2018 amendment, widely derided as the "Party Bill". 


That 2018 bill failed dismally even in its very limited scope to protect residents from short-stay parties, resulting in zero court findings in favour of residents over the entire six years since its enactment.


The tourism industry is divided on the new 2024 laws. Short-stay platform operators are opposed while other industry figures welcome the changes, which may help 'level the playing field'.


While these latest changes are modest, they represent a significant step forward in improving community dynamics, social equity, and quality of life. 


This legislative win provides a strong foundation for continued advocacy to achieve even better laws, more consistent with the comprehensive regulations seen in other major jurisdictions worldwide.


A victory for persistent advocacy


This success in Victoria demonstrates the power of persistence and advocacy in achieving meaningful change. Engaging with political parties, stakeholders, and local government over several years has proven to be both challenging and rewarding.


A passionate resident campaigner from a bayside suburb celebrated this milestone, reflecting on the long journey:


“A councillor once tried to dissuade us, claiming the industry couldn’t be regulated. Thank goodness we ignored that advice. Many of our elected representatives forget that they work for us!”


“By speaking out, we changed the law for short-term accommodation. We reclaimed the rights of owners to decide whether short-stay operators can operate within their apartment buildings.”


Short-stay platforms' FAFO moment 

As the popular saying goes, Fool Around and Find Out. 


Some multinational short-stay platforms have brought this outcome upon themselves through their arrogance and insensitivity, including:

  • Tolerating bad operators;
  • Making it difficult for neighbours to report noise and antisocial behaviour;
  • Legally escaping GST on accommodation fees;
  • Lobbying intensively against even mild reform proposals.

Thank you!


"We Live Here" and local campaigners deeply appreciate everyone who contributed to this achievement, including those who lobbied members of parliament, councillors, Victoria Police, community newspapers that give us exposure, owners corporations who donated campaign funds, the Greens politicians who initiated the Bill and the Labor members who supported it. 

Thank you for recognising and addressing the anti-social, divisive, and life-altering challenges posed by short-term accommodation in high-density living environments.

This win is proof that collective action can lead to meaningful change. 


Let’s continue working together to protect our communities and push for stronger, more comprehensive reforms.

With gratitude,

Barbara Francis

Rus Littleson


Get Started Now
]]>Mon, 23 Dec 2024 13:34:24 +1100<![CDATA[STUNNING NEWS!! ]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/202408

New Bill addresses key issues

The Greens and Labor parties in Victoria have announced a ground-breaking bill to regulate short-stay operations like Airbnb, empowering apartment owners to decide whether to allow short stays in their buildings. 


This long-overdue legislation will bring Victoria in line with global standards and address the concerns of apartment dwellers across the state.


For more than a decade, "We Live Here", a community advocacy group, has been championing these very policies. Our group has organised community forums, made submissions to inquiries, and lobbied politicians to highlight the impact of an unregulated short-stay industry on residents. 


Today, we are on the brink of seeing our efforts come to fruition.


The proposed bill includes three key policies that "We Live Here" has been recommending for many years. Apartment owners, through their Owners Corporation, will be enfranchised to vote on whether to restrict, prohibit, or regulate short-term letting in their building. 


If enacted, these measures could dramatically improve the lives of apartment dwellers across Victoria by providing greater oversight and control over short-stay practices.


"This bill is a significant step towards recognising the rights of residents," said Barbara Francis, spokesperson for "We Live Here". "For too long, successive state governments have ignored the issue. Now, Victoria has a chance to catch up with the rest of the world by implementing sensible regulations that will protect the interests of all Victorians. We are grateful to the Greens and Labor for listening to the community and showing their support for these important regulations." 


"This is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy in shaping government policy. Community groups like ours play a crucial role in ensuring that governments are responsive to the needs and concerns of their citizens," said Rus Littleson, spokesperson for "We Live Here". 


Local Greens MP Ellen Sandell, who was instrumental in negotiating this outcome with the Labor Government and getting it over the line, issued this statement:


“The Greens today used our power in Victorian Parliament to negotiate this outcome on short-stay regulation. Initially the Government wanted something much weaker, but the Greens were able to use our votes to push for stronger owners corp powers and to allow limits on short-stays. I have been fighting for this for years and I’m so pleased we were able to finally get this outcome, so residents of our city can feel they live in a community not just an unregulated hotel. This will also free up homes for long-term renters and occupiers, helping to deal with the housing crisis.”


As the proposed bill moves forward, "We Live Here" remains committed to advocating for residents and ensuring that our voices are heard. The potential legislative overhaul represents a long-awaited victory for the residents of Victoria, affirming the importance of community-driven action in driving meaningful change.


Get Started Now
]]>Thu, 29 Aug 2024 09:02:00 +1000<![CDATA[2024.01 New Year, new hope?]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/202402

New Year, new hope?

Is 2024 a year to dream that the impossible might happen?

Shall we dare believe what We Live Here has been advocating for, since we launched in 2016, might become a reality?

Our reason for cautious hope is that Victoria has a new Premier and a new Minister for Consumer Affairs.

If these politicians are to do justice to their new roles, they must revisit the appallingly weak legislation on short-stays that was introduced into the Victorian Parliament in 2016 following the dismal failure of the so-called ‘Independent Panel’ on Short-Stays.

That panel failed to reach consensus after two lengthy sittings – unsurprisingly because litigious, industrial-scale short-stay operators were invited to be members of the ‘Independent Panel’!

By the time the legislation was introduced into parliament in 2016, Airbnb was already well embedded in the local body politic. In a cringeworthy photo op, the then Minister for Consumer Affairs was snapped shaking hands with the Airbnb Australian Manager on the steps of Parliament House.

Now, eight years on, this is the state of play:

·  a housing crisis of unprecedented severity

·  high-rise apartment buildings taking over the city skyline and neighbouring suburbs,

·  the toothless short-stay legislation yielding zero successes after more than 50 VCAT cases

·  Victoria continues to be regarded as the most penetrated city in the world.

This status quo is scarcely something the state government should be proud of.

To top it off, the parting gesture of the outgoing Premier was to declare a risible short-stay micro-levy, a self-proclaimed fundraiser.

The following case study demonstrates the deficiencies in the legislation that must be remedied ASAP.


St Kilda's nightmarish apartment block: a case study

Party house chaos unleashed: In the heart of St Kilda, a tranquil apartment block turned into a nightmare for new purchasers. Adjacent apartments, both owned by an absentee landlord, morphed into raucous party houses, disrupting the lives of neighbouring residents. For two and a half years, our new residents endured non-stop parties, with gatherings at all hours, several times a week, shattering the once-peaceful community.

Escalation of antisocial behaviour: The chaos extended beyond noise, featuring excessive music, public intoxication, strippers in common areas, and verbal abuse including sexual slurs. Police were frequently called to address these disturbances.

Legal battles and frustration: Residents took the absentee owner to VCAT and due to legal deficiencies, the case failed. Residents incurred a significant legal bill in their pursuit of justice.

Petition sparks council action: Residents initiated a petition, with enough signatories to obligate the City of Port Philip to review their policies. The focus is on challenging toothless legislation governing disruptive absentee landlords.

A demand for change: In their fight for a peaceful living environment, our new residents aim to see the existing legislation repealed, ensuring better protection against disruptive absentee landlords and safeguarding community well-being. More details on the council website at https://shorturl.at/exDK7

We Live Here totally supports these residents and reaffirm our long-standing commitment to seeing the worthless legislation repealed.

We will follow up in future columns.

Get Started Now
]]>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 09:02:39 +1100<![CDATA[2023.12 From housing crisis to hope?]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/202312

Now that Victoria has both a new Premier and a new Minister for Consumer Affairs, can we dare to hope or dream there will be some meaningful changes during the first term of this new government?

When the previous premier, Daniel Andrews took office in December, 2014, the focus was on boosting tourism; the rights and liveability of residents were ignored.

The rise of short-stay accommodation over the past eight years has reduced the availability of long-term rental properties, particularly in sought-after urban and tourist-centric regions.

A short-stay property levy of 7.5% announced in the Victorian Government’s Housing Statement and released just days before Mr Andrews resigned, is scheduled to come into effect only in January 2025!

The micro-levy is so small that it will do nothing to address the housing crisis. The Housing Statement states explicitly that the short-stay levy is purely a fund-raising device without any aspirations whatsoever for behavioural change. Collecting only $70 million per year, it will take decades for the program to deliver any meaningful volume of housing stock.

Let’s learn from a decade of global experience. For example. New York has provided a model for managing the short-stay industry to balance competing interests. Like most major tourist destinations, New York’s regulations include mandatory registration of short-stay operators.

We Live Here looks forward to dialog with the incoming Minister for Consumer Affairs, Ms Gabrielle Williams, about these issues and the plethora of established solutions.

The 2024 agenda

We want the government to review the legislative framework – with full community consultation here in Victoria. (Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that the current legislation was drafted over a couple of caramel macchiatos at the Airbnb headquarters in San Francisco.)

Two Acts affecting owners corporations need urgent attention: 

The Owners Corporation (Short Stay Accommodation) Act 2018 

The government promised a review by February 2021 – that promise was broken. About 50 cases have been to VCAT, costing OCs thousands in legal fees, without a single case being successful. The threshold is just far too high. Currently this worthless Bill is incorporated into the main Owners Corporations Act.

Owners Corporations and Other Acts Amendment Act 2021

This patchwork act incorporates the unreviewed Short Stay Accommodation Act 2018  and the amendments to the OC Act dated 1 December 2021.  It’s a hot mess.

The legislation is past its use-by date and even the state government has promised to repeal the Act “between 2023 and 2027”. At the going ratio of promises to action, that could mean sometime after 2035.

Short-stay accommodation was excluded from a 2018 review of the Owners Corporation Act because of planning issues. This time, everything needs to be examined. 

There must be a level playing field. Let’s hope that with a new team at the helm some action will at last be taken so that Melbourne will not be known the world over as having the weakest short stay regulations. 

Get Started Now
]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 13:39:00 +1100<![CDATA[2023.11 Greens pressure on short-stay levy]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/202311

The Victorian Greens have written to the Treasurer Tim Pallis saying they will oppose Victoria’s proposed short-stay levy unless they get substantial changes to the state government’s new housing policy.

We Live Here regards the proposed levy – which could be as little as $10 on some properties – is a negligible nano measure that is openly revenue-focused rather than regulatory.

The Greens are seeking rent controls, regulation of the short-stay industry including 90-day caps, and other social housing policy changes. The party has given the government three months to “negotiate in good faith” to avoid the housing bill failing.

The government’s Housing Statement says 29,000 entire homes are listed on short-stay platforms. The government’s statement explains why they want a levy:

“These are places that cannot be used for longer-term accommodation or rented out on fixed term agreements – so it makes sense that they should provide some benefit toward the places that can.”

Yes, there it is, documented in the government’s own words – the short-stay levy is a cash cow.

The government needs those 29,000 houses to remain on Airbnb or Stayz.

Imagine for a moment that a small short-stay levy could influence a significant number of landlords to convert back to long-term rentals, which is risibly unlikely - the whole funding model for Homes Victoria would collapse.

Financially, one must admit the idea behind the levy is brilliant – a cash bonanza from a tiny little levy that everyone will forget about eventually. Simultaneously, without any other action to solve the short-stay chaos - it is politically inexcusable.

We Live Here hopes the Green’s pressure on the government will get results.

New leadership must mend the legacy

After eight years of inaction under Mr Andrews, Victorians have a new leader. Can we expect any legislative change?

The never-reviewed, never-amended “short-stay Bill” was embedded in the OC Act despite enormous community opposition. Residents’ complaints have been assiduously ignored for nearly a decade.

The short-stay party Bill was either a case of “drafted to fail” or “failed in the drafting” - in other words, insidious or incompetent.

Under Jacinta Allan’s leadership the government has an opportunity to make some real change. Now is the time for the state government to redress the harm caused by political inertia of the past few years.

For example, a St Kilda resident recently lost their VCAT case against continual drunken abusive incidents at short-stays. With the disgraceful behaviour alternating between apartments, it is virtually impossible to take successful action against a single lot.

Premier, let’s learn from other places like New York – Victoria can do better.

Just for a start, we need day caps and self-determination for owners corporations. And whatever is enacted, regulations must be fair, realistic and enforceable.

We Live Here looks forward to meeting with the new Premier and having meaningful dialogue – and outcomes.

Get Started Now
]]>Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:38:00 +1100<![CDATA[2023.10 Cash without the cure]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/2023101

Victoria’s proposed tax on short stays will generate cash for the state government while ignoring internationally recognised solutions to tackle problems with the industry.

Major cities and jurisdictions including London, Paris, Barcelona and even New South Wales, are all trying to regulate the behemoth industry that is having a devastating effect on housing affordability.

This month New York strengthened its laws to rein in the out-of-control short-stay industry. Under the new rules, rentals less than 30 days are only allowed if the operators are registered with the city. Operators must sign a commitment to being physically present throughout the rental, sharing the home with their guests. Plus, there is a limit of two guests per booking.

Valuable lessons from cities like New York are being disregarded in Victoria, and Melbourne will continue to suffer.

The proposed Victorian tax on short-term rentals will be factored into the accommodation price and the guests will pick up the tab.  Short-stay operators already enjoy the loophole that allows the entire industry to avoid paying virtually any GST, and this new state tax only partly impacts that advantage.

If this tax is the only regulatory policy to be implemented at the state level, short-stay issues will continue unabated. The tax appears to legitimise the industry while leaving it unregulated. The government has missed the opportunity to gather intelligence on operators because the tax will be collected from the platforms like Airbnb, while operators will remain uncounted and unknown, carrying on regardless.

The only beneficiaries of the new tax will be Airbnb and other short-stay platforms; because the policy gives the impression that something is being done. Together, state government and the major short-stay platforms now have a policy outcome that will continue to ensure that Victoria is one of the most heavily saturated short-stay markets in the world.

Where did the short-stay tax idea originate? We know rising interest rates have been eroding the state’s stamp duty bonanza, and the games cancellation costs will be excruciating. Perhaps the state government just needed what the largest platform claims to offer hosts - “an extra bit of income” on the side?

We Live Here has just started liaising again with the government after a two-year hiatus. It is indeed disappointing that the issues we have been raising seem to have been discounted.

Eight years and we’re still waiting

After eight years of inaction the government has announced a policy that will only generate income for the state coffers, without solving systemic short-stay problems.

What else has the government done since 2015? It made one dismal attempt to look like it was taking action on short-stay parties, with a Bill that has had zero effect and, the last time we checked, zero tribunal orders in favour of residents.

Our policy is waiting to be heard and acted upon:

· A statewide registration system for sort-stay operators.

· Allow owners corporations to make rules on short stays.

· An annual day cap.

· Realistic and enforceable penalties.

All these basic requirements are being brushed aside while the government merely imposes a tax that might help balance its books. 

Get Started Now
]]>Sun, 01 Oct 2023 13:38:00 +1100<![CDATA[2023.09 Short stays out of control]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/2023091

The woeful inadequacy of the state’s short-stay legislation remains in the spotlight, with heightened tension in municipalities throughout the state.

City and rural councils are being faced with mounting resident complaints of noise, parties, nudity, assault and property damage.

The intensity is increasing as party-lovers emerge from their pandemic-induced hibernation, as if making up for lost time. And with zero consequences, the behaviour is worsening.

The short-stay industry is a huge commercial business for many operators. Data collected by insideairbnb.com shows that 50 operators control 543 listings in Port Phillip. These 50 businesses are each managing up to $20 million in property assets. All up, there is potentially a monumental $1 billion in short-stay assets in Port Phillip – a big business by any measure.

The fallout from the continual social disruption has led to a groundswell of support and media coverage for a local residents’ advocate in the city. The advocate has shocking evidence of short stay visitors assaulting residents with threatening language, including homophobic slurs, in common areas.

The short-stay chaos in Victoria is an abject disgrace and must be stopped.

Short-stay metastasis – statewide

Short-stay impacts are being felt the breadth of the state - Warrnambool, Bass Coast, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Port Phillp (St Kilda). The alpine town of Bright is beleaguered by almost as many short-stay properties as the NSW tourist hotspot, Byron Bay.

These councils have taken direct action or expressed their frustration with the lack of action by the state government.

As the third tier of government, councils are reluctantly stepping into the breach and enacting fundamental reforms to stem the contagion.

With an election on the horizon, now is the time for the state Labor Party to formulate its policy in response to the shocking housing crisis. If the policies continue to be ineffective, the party risks losing ground across the state.

Industry welcomes micro-tax

For multinational corporations domiciled in putative tax havens, a new tax is fine and dandy - if somebody else pays it.  

The state government’s proposed $5 micro-tax on short-stay guests has elicited fawning praise from industry leaders. Revealingly, other operators in the short-stay industry are bemoaning the token 1 or 2% that this proposed tax represents.

At least we are hopeful, now that we see the first timid moves from the state government indicating that they may be aware of rising community anger.

What’s next?

The Victorian community has been suffering eight years of government inertia. In 2015 the government promised to address only the party issue and even for that modest aspiration it has failed dismally. The so-called “Airbnb party” Act has proven ineffective. Of the 50 cases brought before VCAT, none have been successful. The problem has persisted and indeed worsened.

Victoria needs a statewide registration system.
Victoria needs the government to allow Owners Corporations to make rules on shorts stays.
Victoria needs the government to implement an annual day cap.
Victoria needs realistic and enforceable penalties.

Stop procrastinating. All these basic requirements are needed NOW. 

Get Started Now
]]>Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:37:00 +1000<![CDATA[2023.08 Renaissance of reason]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/2023081

The We Live Here Forum on Housing Affordability and Short-Term Rentals showed that there are solutions to the crisis, and that people with different perspectives can work together to achieve results.

Solicitor Tom Bacon from Strata Title Lawyers moderated a lively community discussion with MPs Ellen Sandell, and Gabrielle De Vietri, Edward Crossland, Yarra Deputy Mayor, and resident activists from St Kilda and Yarra Valley. Backed by publicly available data, the nexus between short-stays and the housing crisis was proven.

MLCs Sheena Watt and Evan Mullholland were unable to attend, as were all Melbourne City Councillors. [“We Live Here” has accepted an invitation to meet with Evan Mulholland, and we will resume our regular meetings with the Consumer Affairs office, now part of the Government Services cluster.]

The panellists put forward constructive action plans, and with current complexion of the state parliament upper house, we feel the future is positive.

Our Yarra Valley resident activist also showed how statistical information can be used to support genuine solutions to the housing crisis.

Our resident activist from St Kilda reported on milestone achievements this year: the Municipal Association of Victoria adopted a policy of regulating short stays, and the Association will advocate the government for uniform change across the state. At least four councils have already introduced self-funding registration schemes.

The resident’s analysis also showed that of 50 “short-stay” cases brought before VCAT by aggrieved residents, none had orders issued against the short-stay operator.

Tom Bacon offered explanations: either the short-stay legislation was incompetently drafted, or it was designed to fail.

Let’s fix this – fast. Registration of short-term rentals can deliver immediate results. If your MP is unaware of the issue, please write to them. Write to your city councillors too.


Cladding chaos continues – for some

Some apartment owners are still in limbo, with flammable cladding deemed not dangerous enough for state government support, and too dangerous for the council, banks and insurers.

Owners in some major buildings are facing financial devastation, unable to sell their apartments because of an outstanding building order to remove flammable cladding, and rejected by lenders.

Flammable cladding was installed in thousands of buildings, with governments around the world blithely allowing the practice under the principle of “self-regulation”.

The Victorian state government is as guilty as others. This disaster was allowed to occur, and our government assumed limited responsibility. The emergency fund set up under Cladding Safety Victoria (CSV) had a headline budget of $600 million, except the fine print revealed that around half was for government buildings, leaving about $300 million for private buildings.

With over 1000 Victorian apartment buildings affected, that was less than $300,000 each. With costs between $1 million and $10 million, and often much more expensive, it was clear that most buildings would miss out. The budget was just too small. The government decided to fund only “high risk” buildings – with the definition of “high risk” being inscrutably secret.

The CSV money pot must be empty by now and we still have buildings suffering in cladding purgatory.

Get Started Now
]]>Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:37:00 +1000<![CDATA[2023.07 Quiz the politicians]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/2023071

Open Forum on Affordable Housing and Short-term Rentals

You are invited to a “We Live Here” Forum, the first after a long, pandemic-induced hiatus.

The housing crisis has been capturing headlines for some time now and this forum will be an opportunity for the community to get some answers from our pollies.

Come along to Library at The Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands 3008. Everyone is invited to arrive by 6:45pm for a 7pm start.

“We Live Here” has invited state and local leaders from across the political spectrum, as well as resident activists:

· Ellen Sandell, Greens MLA for Melbourne,

· Gabrielle De Vietri, Greens MLA for Richmond

· Sheena Watt, Labour Party MLC for Northern Metropolitan region

· Evan Mulholland Liberal Party MLC for Northern Metropolitan region

· Rohan Leppert, Melbourne City Councillor

· Moderator:Tom Bacon, Strata Title Lawyers

To check who has accepted our invitation, visit our website welivehere.net or Facebook page.

The past few months have seen some major developments regarding the housing crisis:


1. Worried Labor MPs leak policy ideas

Some coy Labor MPs are privately considering capping the number of nights operators can let properties as short stays, imposing a ‘tourist tax’, or empowering councils to levy higher commercial rates on short-stay properties. The MPs are challenging Labor policy for fear of disaffecting youth voters, among the hardest hit by the housing crisis.


2. Greens policy announcement and Bill

The Greens made major policy statement and on 30 May, introduced the Owners Corporations Amendment (Short-stay Accommodation) Bill 2023, aiming to:

· put a cap on the number of days that a dwelling can be used for short stays;

· give owners corporations power to regulate short stay rentals;

· establish a mandatory register of short-stay properties.

The Bill was defeated 53-32 after an extraordinary debate with continual Labor interjections that exposed the government’s frustratingly inertial stance.


3. Liberal support for reforms

Liberal MPs including John Pesutto, Leader of the State Opposition and Matthew Guy voted in favour of the Greens’ Bill to introduce basic reforms.


4. Industry bodies speak out

Victorian Tourism Industry Council and Accommodation Association has been lobbying the government about its concerns around the housing shortage.

5. City councils act

Yarra City Council in Melbourne is considering a tax on short-term rentals such as Airbnb. Bass Coast, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula councils and most recently Warrnambool Council have implemented registration systems, with annual fees. Yarra Ranges Council lobbied the state government on short stays. Port Phillip Council is investigating means of regulating the short-stay industry. The Municipal Association of Victoria has adopted a policy of regulating short stays after a vote of 80-20 in favour at its recent state council.


6. Rental and housing enquiry

The Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee announced an inquiry into rental and housing affordability. Trung Luu (Committee Chair) emailed “We Live Here” last month with the details of the enquiry. The committee has 12 members: three Labor, five Liberal, two from Legalise Cannabis and one each from the Greens and the Nationals. Check the “We Live Here” Facebook page for more details. 

Get Started Now
]]>Sat, 01 Jul 2023 13:36:00 +1000<![CDATA[23.06 Suburban councils take the lead]]>https://www.welivehere.net/newsletters/post/2023061

Melbourne City Council is falling behind suburban councils in the race to prevent the city being overrun by short stays.

Port Phillip is the most recent council to show that it hears residents’ fears about short stays. The CEO has been instructed to prepare a report on how other councils manage ; with details on how they could be regulated.

This directive was the result of a community petition demanding that the Council take action to develop and enforce rules on short stay operations in Port Phillip. The investigative report must be presented to council next month.

Many councils have now introduced basic regulations. Bass Coast, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and most recently Warrnambool have implemented registration systems for short stay hosts, charging an annual fee. Yarra Ranges Council lobbied the state government to take responsibility for regulating short stays.

The outer suburbs appear to be more advanced on this issue. If the current momentum continues, bayside Port Philip may become the first inner city council to step up and regulate short stays.

Outside the municipal sphere, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council and Accommodation Association has been lobbying the government about its concerns around the housing shortage for local workers.

These concerns are backed up by economic data. In a lecture at the University of Melbourne, Professor Greg Clark, an urban expert based in the UK, argued that every successful city in the world is experiencing a housing shortage. Professor Clark, who reportedly has advised more than 300 cities and 50 national governments, said the housing crisis is particularly acute in Australia in comparison with global benchmarks. 
In response to the expanding controversy, a Victorian Government representative issued an embarrassing prevarication:

“We have introduced laws to limit disruption caused by unruly short-stay guests in apartments, and continue to monitor the wider impacts of the sector.”

Victoria’s short stay laws are among the feeblest implemented by any jurisdiction anywhere. A review of VCAT cases by one of our intrepid correspondents has revealed that there have been 50 cases against short stay hosts to date – and not one host has been penalised!

Meanwhile, many residential apartment blocks in Melbourne have been turned into hotels with up to half the apartments in some buildings converted to short stays.

It’s hard to take this non-communicative government seriously when all they offer is to “monitor” the impacts, and then continually postpone a review first promised for 2021, now claiming it will be held “by 2027”.

Also, when will Melbourne City Council follow the lead of suburban councils and register short-stays? We were asking for this years ago.

Campaign donations

As a not-for-profit organisation, donations from individuals and buildings keep our campaigns going. To register as a supporter of "We Live Here" or make a donation, please visit welivehere.net. "We Live Here" does not accept donations from commercial tourism interests. 

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]]>Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:35:00 +1000