Brisbane City Council Abandons Short-Stay Permit Plan
The Brisbane City Council has officially scrapped its proposed permit system for short-stay accommodation providers like Airbnb and Stayz.
"Creating more regulation, more red tape, and making housing investment even harder is not something we should be doing in this current situation of uncertainty."
— Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner stated that the decision was driven by uncertainty in the housing market, which he attributed to the federal government's proposed tax reforms. Under the original plan, the Council would have required permits for short-stay rentals in low and low-medium density zones. These permits would have come with fees, mandatory public liability insurance, and a one-hour complaint response requirement.
Furthermore, the Council had planned to notify nearly 500 short-stay landlords that their permits would not be approved.
Political Reaction
Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy strongly criticized the move.
"The lord mayor's total capitulation to the short-stay accommodation industry at the expense of renters just shows you whose side he's on."
— Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy
Background
The Council had previously stated that the new regulations would be in place by July and were intended to free up housing for the rental market. With this reversal, those goals have been abandoned.