Stayz happy with Shire backdown

Online holiday rental site Stayz has welcomed the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s decision not to go ahead with contentious changes to unit and apartment rentals.

Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry said other local governments planning to pursue local restrictions for short-term rental accommodation — particularly City of Busselton and Shire of Denmark — should follow Augusta-Margaret River’s lead.

He said the proposed changes would not have addressed core questions about regulation of the sector and the effect on rental affordability.

“Augusta-Margaret River Shire has recognised that now is not the time to be introducing arbitrary changes for the short-term rental market, particularly as the WA Government is working on whole-of-government regulatory framework for our sector, including a register of all short-term rental accommodation,” Mr Curry said.