- Planning Minister supports inquiry into regulation of short-stay accommodation
- Parliamentary inquiry will build on work undertaken thus far to create a bipartisan plan for the future
- Aims to create certainty for the entire industry
Planning Minister Rita Saffioti has supported an inquiry into the level of regulation of short-stay accommodation, in an effort to create greater certainty for the tourism industry, accommodation providers and guests.
The Economics and Industry Standing Committee has resolved to investigate and report on the adequacy of the regulation of short-term holiday letting in Western Australia, covering issues including customer safety, insurance, land use planning, building standards, stay length, neighbourhood amenity, registration, licensing and taxation.
The State Government had been undertaking consultation and developing options for the future, and welcomes the committee's decision to investigate the matter.
Given the interest of the Parliamentary Committee, it was deemed that an inquiry could build on the work undertaken thus far with the aim of developing some bipartisan recommendations for the future.
Ms Saffioti recommended that the inquiry be time limited to allow for a timely response to industry.
Tourism operators such as hotels, serviced apartments, bed and breakfasts and caravan parks are subject to a variety of different regulations, depending on their local government, Local Planning Scheme, local laws and planning policies.
The current frameworks do not adequately address regulation of short-term providers - including those letting private rooms or homes.
As stated by Planning Minister Rita Saffioti:
"I want to make sure that there is wide consultation and a bipartisan approach to reform in this industry.
"This inquiry is an opportunity to have a Committee of the Parliament test ideas with the industry and to report back to the Parliament and then government.
"The Government had been progressing work on this matter, including developing a range of options for the future.
"This process allows the work undertaken to be utilised by the committee and to make sure we have all the right information in front of us."
