New Bill addresses key issues
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.