Short-Term Rental Accommodation - Scheme Amendment No.131 and Local Planning Policy 6.19

Scheme Amendment No. 131 and Local Planning Policy 6.19 – Short-Term Rental Accommodation have been prepared to provide a framework for the assessment of unhosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA) within the City.

On 19 November 2024, Council considered a report on proposed ‘Scheme Amendment No.131’ to the Local Planning Scheme No.3 (LPS3), and resolved these changes be advertised for public comment.

On 18 March 2025, Council also resolved that LPP6.19 – STRA be prepared for the purpose of public advertisement. These documents provide a future framework for assessing STRA development proposals and the City has decided to advertise these together.

These changes are required by the State Government to have a consistent approach to STRA (such as Airbnb or Stayz) development, and requires Local Governments to amend their local planning schemes to bring about this approach.

The main purpose of these changes is to differentiate between hosted and un-hosted STRA with hosted STRA not requiring a development application and un-hosted STRA having a 90-night exemption period before requiring a development application.

Furthermore, this amendment identifies the zones where un-hosted STRA can be considered for a development application.

The City has prepared a draft Local Planning Policy (LPP), LPP6.19 to provide a framework for assessing un-hosted STRA within the City.

Key provisions of the policy include identifying:

• What information is needed in a management plan
• Dwelling occupancy
• Parking requirements
• The City’s ‘preferred’ locations for this type of development
• Requiring an Amenity Impact Statement where located outside ‘preferred locations’.