2 days ago
Busselton bans new unhosted short-stay accommodation in residential areas
Unhosted holiday homes will no longer be permitted in certain parts of a popular tourist destination in the south-west of Western Australia.
The City of Busselton council has approved changes to its short-term accommodation policy.
City planners said the policy change was to ensure there was enough permanent housing left for the community.
The policy will not affect holiday homes with existing approvals.
The council's director of community planning Gary Barbour said holiday homes will not be permitted in residential and future growth areas.
"[Short-term accommodation in] what has traditionally been the more affordable family-type areas and subdivisions are no longer permitted," he said.
"Areas like Vasse, areas like Dunsborough Lakes, some parts of east Busselton and future growth areas as well."
The rise of short-term accommodation overtaking the rental market had been happening in the area for years and Mr Barbour said the community was vocal on the issue.
The City of Busselton has had a steady population increase for the past 20 years with no sign of it expected to slow down.
Earlier this year the Real Estate Institute of WA predicted the median house sale price in Busselton for 2025 to increase 15 to 20 per cent.
With that price now climbing to $780,000 and rents upwards of $800 per week, housing has become a critical issue in the community.
Mr Barbour believed regulation on holiday accommodation could go some way in addressing the housing crisis.
"If you look at an area like Bunbury, holiday homes account for about one per cent of its housing stock.
"You look at Busselton currently and it is sitting up near eight per cent.
"That's a significant impact on the availability of housing for normal families who are trying to get into the market."
Local housing support services have welcomed the change, including Accordwest, the region's leading housing advocacy group.
Executive manager of programs Simone Atkins said anything that protected housing stock for permanent residents was welcome, but was not a single fix.
"The City of Busselton's proposed changes to short-term accommodation are a constructive step towards easing homelessness pressure and really maintaining that access to homes to people who live and work in the region," she said.
The City of Busselton has grappled with the regulation of short stay accommodation since a parliamentary inquiry into the rapid increase in 2019.
The council's Gary Barbour would not rule out further restrictions on residential areas but said it had gotten the right balance for the time being.
"I think what they have ended up coming up with is a pretty reasonable balance that allows it in areas where it is appropriate.
"I think [the council is] also mindful that it is an important part of the economy. The visitor economy in Busselton is a significant portion of the economic make-up down there."
