COUNCIL TO CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL HOLIDAY LETTING

Byron Shire Council is cracking down on people who are holiday letting secondary dwellings that were approved for affordable housing.

Mayor Michael Lyon said it’s time to take a close look at people who had development applications approved for secondary dwellings but are using these properties for tourist accommodation.

“The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) is still to hand down its decision after its inquiry into Council’s Planning Proposal to cap short term rental accommodation to 90 days in the majority of the Byron Shire,” Mayor Lyon said.

“While I am confident the IPC will come out in support of Council, there is more that we, as an organisation, can do to try to free up more long-term housing for people,” he said.

Applications for new homes and secondary dwellings may now be approved with the condition that they are not to be used for shortterm or holiday rentals.

“In addition to this, staff will be enforcing consent conditions for existing properties that do not have approval for shortterm accommodation,” Mayor Lyon said.

“From 2011 to 2019 Council was providing people with financial incentives to develop secondary dwellings on their properties as a way of providing more affordable housing, but while we had the best of intentions, things didn’t go according to plan.

“Some people realised they could make more money by holiday letting and in the end there was no evidence of any increase in housing stock so Council stopped waiving development fees.

“Staff will now start checking development consents along with doing targeted investigations into what properties are being used for and if necessary, we will take owners to court,” Mayor Lyon said.

“We are asking the NSW Government to allow us to do more to curb holiday letting and we also need to step up to the plate.

“We have recently received clarity about Council’s ability to enforce consent conditions and we now understand a successful case can be made against people who are holiday letting their properties in contravention of their development approvals.

“While this will involve the allocation of resources, solving the issue of housing affordability will require a range of solutions of which this is one,” Mayor Lyon said. For media interviews contact Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, on 0435 646 365.

Electric Vehicle Council

The Electric Vehicle Council has welcomed Australia’s frst National Electric Vehicle Strategy but warns the government must act swiftly and boldly to calibrate and enforce Australia’s fuel effciency standards.

Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Behyad Jafari said: “There’s a long road ahead for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world on electric vehicle policy, but this strategy can accelerate progress.

“It’s a relief that an Australian Government has fnally committed to fuel effciency standards, which have been operational in the US and Europe for decades. But with those jurisdictions now leaping forward in terms of ambition Australia must bring in strong standards that keep pace with the modern world. If we squib it on the detail Australia will remain the world’s dumping ground for dated, high-emission vehicles.

“Australia is lagging behind as one of the last developed countries without any fuel effciency standards.

From the US to Europe and across the ditch in New Zealand, strong fuel effciency standards are providing drivers with more EV choice and reducing harmful emissions.

“Having fuel effciency standards in Australia in line with global markets will save motorists hundreds of dollars on fuel each year and give them more affordable electric vehicles to choose from.

“If Australia is serious about developing a local EV value chain to secure our future prosperity, the frst crucial step to secure investment is to demonstrate we have a strong local market for these products. This will only be possible through the introduction of a globally-competitive fuel effciency standard that accelerates local adoption.

“We will be working closely with the government as it designs a fuel effciency standard for passenger and light commercial vehicles. Australia has a bright and clean electric future just around the corner, but only if we get the policy settings right today.”

“Leemo has views on just about anything” tranquil happy place instead of the vacuous space it generally occupies.’ Oooh

Crikey, her shouting was like the hoarse peal of Vultures on a kill. ‘Leemo, you are an inordinately rude & ill mannered cat. What the hell is C.O.W. erapy anyhow?