Report: Adequacy of the Regulation of Short-Term Holiday Letting in New South Wales
Mr ANOULACK CHANTHIVONG (Macquarie Fields) ( 15:47 ): I thank the House for the opportunity to contribute to this take-note debate. I acknowledge the comments made by the chair of the Committee on Environment and Planning. I thank him for his chairmanship. I also thank the former chair, the member for East Hills, who saw the inquiry through its early stages. I take this opportunity to thank Mr David Hale and the committee staff for their work. Technology and innovation have changed the way that participants operate in the holiday letting industry. The committee is aware of the impact of new entrants to the sector, such as Airbnb and Stayz. They have made the sector more successful and allowed a larger number of renters and suppliers of houses to enter the market. The committee considered not only new entrants to the sector but also established participants. It also looked at whether the current regulations were fair for all participants.
The committee received a number of submissions from all stakeholders, including new entrants and current bed and breakfasts, the Hotels Association and councils. I thank them for their time. The committee's goals were to see whether the current regulatory framework fits an industry that has changed. We are looking in the future for consistency and clarity for all stakeholders, new entrants, local councils and those who rent short-term accommodation across Sydney. It is good for people to go to different parts of the State as it stimulates the economy, especially in regional areas. We need to grow the market, and short-term accommodation is the way to do that.
The committee looked at ways to ensure greater consistency. I look forward to the Government's response to the committee's recommendations which will inform people of their rights and obligations under the new regime. I understand the difference between Torrens title and strata title accommodation. The committee heard the concerns of those living in strata title properties and will seek to ensure they have peace of mind and that any short-term or illegal subletting contracts are properly managed and will not adversely impact on their rights. I look forward to hearing other comments relating to this matter, as councils need some direction and those who rent and those who supply the market need clarity. If the rules are clear and consistent, everybody will know their rights and obligations. Once again, I thank my fellow committee members and the committee secretariat for this great report.
