<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-6" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:ca872054-bfe3-4cc5-a2c8-b373d4dfeafb-2" dir="auto">
A completed Castle Hill apartment development is returning to market with an uncommon level of financial backing, positioning it as one of the more secure options for buyers in Sydney’s north-west.

Skyview in Castle Hill, originally developed by Top Place and now overseen by capital partner <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/equitifund-group">Equitifund</a>, is being relaunched following a full remediation process. Central to its repositioning is a substantial financial reserve designed to provide ongoing protection and reduce uncertainty for incoming purchasers.

At the core of this offering is an $11 million bond secured during the project’s remediation phase, negotiated by former NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler. With less than $4 million required to complete the works, approximately $7.2 million remains in reserve, with around 15 years left on the term.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359134]

Rather than a typical insurance-backed structure, the remaining funds are held as cash, creating a readily accessible financial buffer should any future building issues arise. The structure is intended to provide buyers with an added layer of certainty, differentiating the development from more conventional apartment offerings.

Equitifund Executive Chairman Greg Huxley said the structure provides a level of security not typically seen in apartment developments.

“The $11 million bond established for the Skyview Castle Hill development represents exceptional value, providing genuine financial security for purchasers,” Huxley said.

“Unlike a standard insurance policy, this bond consists of real funds held in trust for the Owners Corporation, offering a tangible layer of protection and added peace of mind.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359135]

The remediation process has now been completed in full, with no active rectification orders or outstanding directives linked to the project on NSW Government registers. This outcome reflects the broader tightening of building oversight across the state, while also highlighting the project’s transition into a completed, compliant asset.

In a market where many buyers remain cautious about apartment quality, initiatives like this are designed to restore confidence, giving purchasers greater certainty and a stronger sense of security in their investment.

Equitifund has since acquired the remaining apartments and is managing their reintroduction to the market. With the works finalised and a significant financial reserve in place, the project now presents with a markedly different risk profile compared to its initial release.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359137]

Beyond the added security, the development is positioned in one of Castle Hill’s more established pockets. The Gay Street address places it within close proximity to Castle Towers, one of the country’s largest retail centres, as well as Castle Hill Metro Station, which now connects directly to the broader Sydney Metro network.

Equitifund National Sales Director Ben Hamblett said buyer demand in the area continues to be driven by access to transport and amenity.

“Interest from both owner-occupiers and investors in Castle Hill remains exceptionally strong, with buyers consistently prioritising developments in close proximity to the Metro station and Castle Towers Shopping Centre,” Hamblett said.

“There is a clear trend in the market, with purchasers seeking convenient access to transport and lifestyle amenities that support a seamless, low-maintenance way of living.”

[smartcode_project:default project_id=147685 project_image_fid=359145]

The apartments also enter the market at a relatively accessible price point for the area, with two-bedroom configurations starting from $995,000 and rental demand for similar stock reaching around $900 per week. This combination of pricing, connectivity, and completed status is expected to appeal to both owner-occupiers and investors seeking lower-risk entry into the Hills District apartment market.

For eligible buyers, a limited 3.50 per cent p.a. two-year fixed interest rate is currently available through Equitifund’s lending partners, providing an additional layer of affordability.

EquitiCredit Pty Ltd ACN 676 363 769 holds ACL 559289 and provides credit assistance. Finance is arranged through EquitiCredit and funded by its lending partners. Interest rates are subject to change and eligibility criteria apply. Terms, conditions, fees and charges may apply. This is not financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. Prospective buyers should seek independent financial advice.

[smartcode_project_cta:default project_id=147685]
</section>

Joel Robinson

Castle Hill apartments offering unmatched buyer protection through dedicated fund

A State-Assessed Rezoning Proposal for the Kurnell Peninsula is now on public exhibition, setting out a plan to deliver up to 4,300 homes alongside new retail, tourism and public open space on a 210-hectare coastal site.

The proposal, backed by the Minns Labor Government, would transform a former sand mining area along Captain Cook Drive into a mixed-use precinct delivered over approximately 20 years.

In addition to housing, the plan includes more than 7,000 sqm of retail and commercial space, new community facilities and approximately 116 hectares of open space, equating to more than half the site.

<img alt="Kurnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ce1c6567-1df0-4de0-9fe5-a76be0367834" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-13%20at%209.11.51%E2%80%AFAM_0.png?VersionId=dbbTmYaJvROA5fkQbgaxis8cmFwtpB5_" />

<hr data-end="849" data-start="846" />
<h2 data-end="902" data-section-id="ony3l3" data-start="851">Rezoning framework enables mixed-use development</h2>

The rezoning application seeks to amend planning controls under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Precincts—Central River City) and the Sutherland Shire Local Environmental Plan 2015.

Its primary objective is to enable a broader range of land uses across the site, including residential, employment, tourism and community uses, while also formalising environmental protections and land management outcomes .

The proposal has progressed through the state-led rezoning pathway after being identified as a project of regional significance, supported by several years of technical studies and agency consultation .

Development would occur in stages, aligned with the progressive closure and remediation of the existing sand mine.

<hr data-end="1718" data-start="1715" />
<h2 data-end="1768" data-section-id="krwii9" data-start="1720">Master plan structured around three precincts</h2>

The accompanying urban design report outlines an indicative master plan that divides the site into three primary precincts, anchored by a town centre in the western portion of the site.

The town centre is planned as the first stage of development, located on land that has already been remediated. It is intended to accommodate higher-density housing, retail, and community uses.

<img alt="Kurnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4bfd5873-4847-4105-b220-0a30c96f5573" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-13%20at%209.20.09%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=7aVaSsZLAc6mElSH4g6Ct5bGsNxZcnPL" />

Additional precincts extend toward Bate Bay and Boat Harbour, with built form responding to environmental conditions and proximity to the coastline.

The design framework identifies distinct local character areas, with the master plan structured to reflect “unique natural qualities” across the site.

<hr data-end="2495" data-start="2492" />
<h2 data-end="2544" data-section-id="1vitwqn" data-start="2497">Open space forms core of the design approach</h2>

A key component of the proposal is the allocation of approximately 116 hectares to open space and ecological land.

This includes:

<ul data-end="2846" data-start="2678">
	<li data-end="2702" data-section-id="d96caj" data-start="2678">Three district parks</li>
	<li data-end="2723" data-section-id="17y6uz6" data-start="2703">Nine local parks</li>
	<li data-end="2741" data-section-id="14hui00" data-start="2724">Sports fields</li>
	<li data-end="2778" data-section-id="ts7psx" data-start="2742">Coastal and ecological corridors</li>
	<li data-end="2846" data-section-id="agduax" data-start="2779">Two kilometres of publicly accessible beachfront along Bate Bay</li>
</ul>

The urban design report positions this open space network as central to the structure of the development, rather than ancillary to it.

It is intended to support ecological regeneration, provide recreational amenity and create a connected network across the peninsula.

The plan includes north–south ecological corridors, expanded wetland systems and pedestrian and cycling links designed to connect residential areas to the coastline and open space areas .

<hr data-end="3347" data-start="3344" />
<h2 data-end="3381" data-section-id="ql66rt" data-start="3349">Housing mix and affordability</h2>

The proposal includes approximately 4,300 dwellings across a range of housing types.

This includes high-density apartments, medium-density housing, townhouses and seniors housing.

Affordable housing provision is identified at approximately 240 dwellings, alongside a smaller component of social housing.

The master plan emphasises housing diversity, with the intent of accommodating a range of household types and age groups within the development.

<img alt="Kurnell" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4baba4d-b5b0-4a86-bcad-5d319b036184" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Screenshot%202026-04-13%20at%209.11.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?VersionId=udYFz0q8tjEPR3pmKLHRSFRJN4dKakPO" />

<hr data-end="3877" data-start="3874" />
<h2 data-end="3919" data-section-id="rgckdv" data-start="3879">Built form controls and height limits</h2>

Proposed building heights across the site range from three to 12 storeys.

These controls are set out within the rezoning application and are intended to manage visual impact, maintain view corridors and ensure compatibility with the coastal landscape.

Floor space ratios and height limits are applied across different parts of the site to reflect varying environmental conditions and proximity to open space and the coastline .

Higher density is generally concentrated within the town centre, with lower-scale development toward the coastal edge and environmentally sensitive areas.

<hr data-end="4548" data-start="4545" />
<h2 data-end="4588" data-section-id="1minlda" data-start="4550">Retail, tourism and employment uses</h2>

In addition to residential development, the proposal includes retail, commercial and tourism uses.

This includes:

<ul data-end="4896" data-start="4706">
	<li data-end="4775" data-section-id="1jrun76" data-start="4706">Approximately 7,000–9,800sqm of retail and commercial floor space</li>
	<li data-end="4803" data-section-id="10kyifw" data-start="4776">A full-line supermarket</li>
	<li data-end="4830" data-section-id="fz1hdg" data-start="4804">Food and beverage uses</li>
	<li data-end="4896" data-section-id="1aqg2fj" data-start="4831">Tourism accommodation, including hotel and short-stay options</li>
</ul>

The proposal also identifies employment outcomes, with the development expected to support jobs both during construction and in ongoing operations.

These uses are concentrated within the town centre and key activity areas across the site.

<hr data-end="5142" data-start="5139" />
<h2 data-end="5172" data-section-id="162x2kt" data-start="5144">Infrastructure and access</h2>

The proposal includes upgrades to Captain Cook Drive, which provides the primary access to the peninsula.

These upgrades are intended to improve traffic flow and support emergency access.

The transport strategy also incorporates:

<ul data-end="5529" data-start="5407">
	<li data-end="5433" data-section-id="fanquy" data-start="5407">Internal road networks</li>
	<li data-end="5469" data-section-id="o6y80y" data-start="5434">Walking and cycling connections</li>
	<li data-end="5529" data-section-id="jgraft" data-start="5470">Proposed public transport routes and bus stop locations</li>
</ul>

The rezoning report includes detailed analysis of transport, flooding, and infrastructure requirements to support the staged development of the site .

<hr data-end="5723" data-start="5720" />
<h2 data-end="5769" data-section-id="14urh3" data-start="5725">Environmental and cultural considerations</h2>

The site is identified as having environmental and cultural significance, including areas of ecological value and Aboriginal archaeological sensitivity.

The proposal includes measures to protect and enhance these areas, including:

<ul data-end="6230" data-start="6004">
	<li data-end="6056" data-section-id="1pzyouo" data-start="6004">Retention and regeneration of coastal vegetation</li>
	<li data-end="6100" data-section-id="bjn2vz" data-start="6057">Strengthening of biodiversity corridors</li>
	<li data-end="6148" data-section-id="1bpeyoj" data-start="6101">Protection of riparian systems and wetlands</li>
	<li data-end="6230" data-section-id="lg0cka" data-start="6149">Integration of cultural interpretation and recognition of Indigenous heritage</li>
</ul>

The urban design report also outlines opportunities for incorporating Indigenous cultural elements into public spaces and landscape design.

<hr data-end="6893" data-start="6890" />
<h2 data-end="6908" data-section-id="w7rk5f" data-start="6895">Next steps</h2>

The proposal is currently on public exhibition, with submissions open to the community. Feedback received during this period will inform the Department of Planning’s assessment of the rezoning.

If approved, the rezoning would establish the planning framework for future development applications across the site.

<hr data-end="6893" data-start="6890" />
<h2 data-end="6908" data-section-id="w7rk5f" data-start="6895">What the NSW Government says</h2>

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the planned closure of the sand mine and remediation of the Kurnell Peninsula presents an exciting opportunity to transform the area.

“This proposal envisions a vibrant new beachfront community with thousands of new homes, jobs and great open space in the Sutherland Shire. I encourage the community to have their say during the public exhibition period. Feedback from the community will play an important role in the assessment of the proposal.”

Sydney's newest beachfront city: NSW Gov to unlock 4,300 new homes on Kurnell peninsula

A long-awaited transformation of a former industrial site in Holroyd has been given the green light, with the NSW Government approving the $1.2 billion Crescent Parklands masterplan that will deliver more than 1,200 new homes just south of Parramatta.

The State Significant Development approval clears the way for a large-scale mixed-use precinct at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/1-crescent-street-holroyd-nsw-2142">1 Crescent Street</a>, replacing an underutilised site with a coordinated residential community anchored by new open space, retail, and commercial uses.

Designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/woods-bagot">Woods Bagot</a> for WA-based developer Tiberius, the approved scheme comprises seven buildings arranged across two precincts. In total, the development will deliver 1,227 apartments, including 201 allocated as affordable housing, alongside approximately 2,500 sqm of retail and 5,000 sqm of commercial space within a mixed-use podium.

<img alt="Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver 1,200+ homes in major Holroyd transformation" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1cc82dd2-8184-4b86-8665-90653147820d" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Crescent%20buildings.png?VersionId=2ZmVDc_Rfc4AzQ6ShzZJlvdZnACLerVM" />

The project is structured as a masterplanned precinct rather than a standalone tower. Buildings 1 to 4 will rise from a shared podium with shop-top housing, while Buildings 5 to 7 are positioned closer to the northern park interface as residential flat buildings. The built form has been carefully modulated to balance density with amenity, with the design resolving building separation, solar access, and wind impacts at a precinct scale.

A significant focus of the design is the activation of Crescent Street and the integration of public domain. The submission notes that “individual townhouses [were] removed for community based functions to Crescent Street to increase activation and surveillance,” reinforcing a more urban and publicly engaged street edge. Retail, commercial tenancies, and resident amenity spaces are concentrated along this frontage and within the podium to support day-to-day activity.

The landscape strategy underpins the project’s identity, with a network of pedestrian connections, landscaped corridors, and open spaces linking the site internally and to its surroundings. The design prioritises permeability, delivering “increased uninterrupted flow between spaces for pedestrian access” and improved connections through to the adjoining parklands.

<img alt="Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver 1,200+ homes in major Holroyd transformation" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19282454-ab2f-4e2c-866f-4b35cf4283d4" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Crescent%20masterplan.png?VersionId=JQdWGYI5B5R1lzmK4omYOp_8KLPkT4Bv" />

Buildings within the western precinct are oriented toward the park, shaping a residential offering defined by proximity to open space. The design describes this approach as creating apartments “immersed in nature with apartments facing the park,” positioning the landscape as a central organising element of the masterplan.

The broader architectural response addresses both infrastructure and context, with taller elements capturing long-range views toward Parramatta while setbacks and separation distances mitigate impacts on surrounding residential areas. Sustainability initiatives, including solar optimisation, cross-ventilation, and integrated landscape systems, are embedded across the scheme.

Located approximately one kilometre south of Parramatta CBD, the 3.6-hectare site is bounded by Crescent Street, Woodville Road, and Holroyd Sportsground. It benefits from strong access to public transport, including nearby bus routes and train stations, and sits within a rapidly evolving corridor earmarked for increased residential density. The design also strengthens connections between surrounding green spaces, including Holroyd Sportsground and Parramatta Parklands.

The approval follows several years of planning, including a rezoning process that enabled significant uplift in height and density across the site. With determination now secured, Crescent Parklands is positioned to play a major role in delivering new housing supply within Greater Parramatta’s growth area.

Tiberius’ Crescent Parklands to deliver over 1,200 homes in major Holroyd transformation

A new State Significant Development application has been lodged over land at <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/33-43-marion-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">33–43 Marion Street</a>, Parramatta, proposing a high-rise mixed-use tower that leverages planning incentives to deliver a substantial pipeline of new housing, including a dedicated affordable component.

The scheme, currently on exhibition, combines a shop-top housing development with a concurrent rezoning, positioning the site for a significant uplift in density within Parramatta’s evolving southern CBD fringe.

The proposal, designed by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/fuse-architecture-0">Fuse Architects</a> for CN Marion, would replace the existing buildings with a 37-storey mixed-use tower, delivering 296 apartments above a retail podium with six basement levels on the 2,376 sqm site.

The residential mix comprises 58 one-bedroom, 207 two-bedroom, and 31 three-bedroom apartments, with communal facilities located on the second level and the rooftop. Ground-level activation is driven by retail and food and beverage tenancies, alongside a publicly accessible through-site link designed to improve pedestrian permeability.

The project includes 194 car spaces, five motorcycle spaces, and 348 bicycle spaces, reflecting a transit-oriented approach in a location directly adjacent to the rail corridor and within walking distance of Harris Park Station.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower with affordable housing at 33–43 Marion Street, Parramatta" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3db873ea-62f0-437b-8a6a-eeda154d2dee" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Marion%20building.png?VersionId=YwzBv8OVHwyRnMLGX4slU7QyhTyMZeOX" />

The design adopts a podium-and-tower composition, with a three-storey street wall addressing Marion Street and a reduced two-storey interface responding to adjoining heritage cottages.

A key component of the proposal is the integration of affordable housing under the NSW Government’s in-fill affordable housing pathway, with units to be retained for a minimum of 15 years. This is paired with a broader public domain strategy that emphasises permeability, deep soil planting, and a landscaped through-site link.

“The strategy prioritises a permeable, well-activated public realm and supports a compact tower form to minimise the building’s footprint while enhancing the quality of the ground-level experience,” the design report states.

The proposal includes a central landscaped courtyard, rooftop communal areas, and planting strategies aligned with local environmental conditions and cultural narratives.

<img alt="First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower with affordable housing at 33–43 Marion Street, Parramatta" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0e6c165-9967-4d20-9216-e5b8357c85ba" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Marion%20site.png?VersionId=SRod222LwgDmGZJmJY0wTbK39UrWZLSD" />

The site occupies a prominent corner of Marion and Station streets, roughly 100 metres from Harris Park Station, within a precinct earmarked for significant intensification. While the immediate context is characterised by low- to mid-rise buildings and heritage dwellings, planning controls and recent proposals point to a transition toward high-density development.

<section data-scroll-anchor="false" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-turn="assistant" data-turn-id="request-WEB:c78224e4-1dd1-48ac-afda-97fe23bac47e-0" dir="auto">
Parramatta has been starved of new apartment supply in recent years. Builder-developers Deicorp and Coronation are the only two currently progressing projects in the suburb. Coronation is nearing completion of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/8-phillip-street-2-10-phillip-street-parramatta">8 Phillip Street</a>, which will be the tallest building in Western Sydney once finished, while Deicorp is delivering <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/new-apartments/cosmopolitan-by-deicorp-parramatta-34-hassall-street-parramatta-nsw-2150">Cosmopolitan</a>, a development comprising over 600 apartments.
</section>

First Look: Plans lodged for 37-storey mixed-use tower in Parramatta

A substantial uplift in height and density is being tested in Lane Cove, with a 225-apartment scheme at 300 Burns Bay Road now on public exhibition as a State Significant Development alongside a concurrent rezoning.

The proposal by <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/developers/level-33">Level 33</a> would see the demolition of an existing commercial building and associated structures, replaced by a residential development ranging from seven to 15 storeys.&nbsp;

The scheme delivers 225 apartments, including 34 designated as affordable housing, positioning it within the NSW Government’s accelerated Housing Delivery Authority pathway.

The development is arranged as three interconnected residential flat buildings, a response to the site’s long, narrow configuration and sloping topography.&nbsp;

<img alt="First look: 225-apartment Lane Cove tower proposal enters exhibition under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c325d40c-ead5-45f4-9d77-5a446b23acc0" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Lane%20Cove%20pers.png?VersionId=hsCJxT5hj.5kzA6AMInyan1x8mcHeRez" />

<a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/architects/pbd-architects">PBD Architects</a>, the project’s designer, describe a built form that is “divided into three sections, each connected by intermediate infill slots which are recessed to establish greater setbacks and further articulate the development.”

Across the scheme, apartments are supported by communal amenity at ground and rooftop levels, including landscaped open space and a rooftop pool. Basement and lower ground levels accommodate parking, storage, and building services, while a new public park is proposed along the eastern edge of the site, replacing part of the existing built form.

The architectural response has been shaped by the site’s pronounced fall towards the Lane Cove River, with building heights stepping down from west to east to reduce visual bulk and respond to adjoining bushland.&nbsp;

The design report notes that “the development has been carefully designed to integrate with the existing topography with the placement of massing and floor levels adjusted respecting the site’s inherent characteristics.”

<img alt="First look: 225-apartment Lane Cove tower proposal enters exhibition under State Significant pathway" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="31cc13a5-bc8b-4dc3-b9b1-07c6ec33a82b" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/www.urban.com.au/s3fs-public/inline-images/Lane%20cove%20site.png?VersionId=NiyH3LimQwiHsE6Q7I5g4Grpr5fRdZaX" />

The project is being advanced through a concurrent rezoning process, seeking to increase the permissible height and floor space ratio beyond current Lane Cove LEP controls of 21 metres. Under the proposal, height would reach up to 54.5 metres, reflecting a shift toward higher-density outcomes in well-located urban areas.

Located on a 7,595 sqm site, the development sits within an established high-density residential pocket characterised by mid-rise apartment buildings set within a bushland setting. The site is within close proximity to Burns Bay Reserve, the Lane Cove River, and an extensive network of open space, reinforcing its strategic positioning for increased housing supply.

Level 33 is doing through the Housing Delivery Authority to try and get its Homebush project of <a href="https://www.apartments.com.au/news/nsw/level-33-adds-to-2-000-unit-pipeline-with-new-two-tower-homebush-plans">more than 300 apartments approved</a>.

The developer has over 2,000 apartments in the pipeline, predominantly in Wollongong.

First look: Level 33 proposes 225-apartment Lane Cove tower

Airbnb

<html><body>
Unruly NSW house guests will from today be subject to strict new short-term rental accommodation laws that could see them banned from securing accomodation again on booking platforms.

Hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the code within two years will be banned for five years.

Platforms and letting agents will not be permitted to offer services to anyone, or any dwelling, that is listed on the exclusion register.

A strike will include any behaviour which unreasonably interferes with a neighbour’s quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their home.

Hosts’ obligations relate to holding an appropriate level of public liability insurance and providing neighbours and owners corporations with information such as the host’s contact details, and that they are bound by the Code of Conduct during their stay.

There will be changes to planning laws in mid-2021, including a new planning policy that applies consistent regulation of the use of premises for short-term rental accommodation across the whole state of NSW.

A short-term rental accommodation premises register is also under development for commencement in mid-2021.

Hosts must register their premises once that obligation is mandated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the register becomes available online.

Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said the new industry Code of Conduct provided clear obligations for hosts centred on minimum standards of good behaviour.

“If you are a house guest from hell behaving disgracefully in a holiday rental or a shady host trying to swindle an unsuspecting customer, under these changes you will face penalties, and could be banned from the industry for five years,” Mr Anderson said.

“These new laws are coming into effect at the perfect time as we now head into what is shaping up to be one of the biggest domestic tourism holiday seasons on record.

“While the tourism boom is fantastic news for local communities getting back on their feet following last summer’s bushfires and the unprecedented disruption of COVID-19, it also reinforces the need for increased protections against anti-social and disruptive behaviour.”

Anderson said a key feature of the new laws was the establishment of an exclusion register, which will introduce a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy. 

“We are introducing these laws as part of our broad reform of the sector. Together, they will ensure the minority of participants who are giving the sector a bad name are penalised or removed and the sector is improved for hosts, guests and communities,” Mr Anderson said.

The standards are enforceable, with powers available to the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner to take disciplinary action, including penalties and exclusion from the industry for repeat offenders.

All participants, including booking platforms, will be required to comply with the Code and with directions and requests from the Commissioner.

For a time apartment owners in New South Wales faced the prospect of having to pay compensation to their neighbours.

Prior to COVID 19, the short-term rental accommodation injected $2.1 billion plus annually into the economy.

The industry was estimated to be worth $31.3 billion nationally in 2016.

Sydney ranks as one of Airbnb’s top ten cities for most properties on the platform.

In June 2018 the NSW government put a 180-day cap on the number of days properties can be rented out by Airbnb in Sydney.

It also gave strata corporations the power to ban Airbnb in their buildings if 75 percent of owners seek the ban.

The latest rules arose from an options paper by the NSW government.
</body></html>

Hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the code within two years will be banned for five years.



jchancellor

Tougher short term Airbnb accomodation rules in NSW

<html><body>
Airbnb, the popular short-stay rental platform, has launched a new program which will aim to assist 100,000 health care professionals, relief workers and first responders in accessing accommodation while in self-isolation. This opportunity will give workers who could potentially be exposed to the virus, a space away from household members which will be especially beneficial to those who are at greater risk of catching the virus, such as elderly or immune-compromised relatives. 

<blockquote>
“Medical workers and first responders are providing lifesaving support during the coronavirus outbreak and we want to help.” 
</blockquote>

Joe Gebbia, Co-founder of Airbnb

Since learning of the lack of clean and accessible accommodation for thousands of healthcare workers globally, Airbnb is working to locate available accommodation which is reasonably close to hospitals and medical centres.

Airbnb is also collaborating with businesses, non-profit partners and government agencies such as the International Rescue Committee, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International Medical Corps. 

<h2>THE GLOBAL ROLL OUT OF THE INITIATIVE</h2>

The initiative has already commenced in France and Italy, with 4,000 hosts in France volunteering to open their homes to medical workers. 

With the program now launching in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States, Airbnb hopes to develop more partnerships in the coming weeks. 

<h2>HOW HOMEOWNERS CAN HELP</h2>

Homeowners have also been encouraged by Airbnb to list their homes to house doctors, nurses, caregivers and other medical support staff during this time of need. Airbnb will be waiving any hosting fees to make it easier for homeowners to provide accommodation for those in need.

<h2>HOW WILL HEALTH AND SAFETY BE UPHELD?</h2>

For those who wish to accommodate COVID-19 responders with a safe place to live during the crisis, Airbnb has created a strict set of guidelines to ensure health and safety are maintained.

Hosts must vacate the property before the arrival of COVID-19 healthcare professionals.

Hosts are expected to practice social distancing by minimising their contact with guests during check-ins, and throughout their stay. It is also advised that they avoid visiting the premises while the guest is in residence and wait at least 72 hours between reservations to clean, disinfect and prepare the space for another guest. 

The recommendations published in Airbnb’s guidelines for <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/resources/hosting-homes/a/cleaning-guidelines-for-preventing-the-spread-of-covid-19-163">cleaning and safety protocols</a> are all based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The information includes the type of cleaning supplies to use, such as diluted bleach solutions, cleaning products with 70% alcohol and disinfectants <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2">registered by the Environmental Protection Agency</a> that are believed to be effective against the coronavirus. 

Health care professionals, relief workers and first responders who book accommodation through an NGO (non-profit organisation), government agency or health care system, will also be informed and familiar with the safety protocols they must follow. 

<h2>REQUIREMENTS OF AN AIRBNB HOST DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC</h2>

By signing up for the program, hosts agree to allow guests to finish their reservation or stay for the length of time they need to self-isolate (which may mean the guest needs to extend their stay).

For people who have volunteered to provide free accommodation for health care workers, there is an option to accept or decline reservations, as well as the option withdraw from the program.

Airbnb has advised that people who choose to host a COVID-19 responder should inform their neighbours, to give them a chance to share their concerns or any considerations they may have. The company will also be working closely with local authorities and organisations, as rules surrounding emergency accommodation could vary depending on the country and state. 

<h2>AIRBNB IS AN EXAMPLE OF A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS PIVOTING THEIR STRATEGY TO SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED</h2>

First responders on the frontline of the pandemic are putting their lives at risk every day to ensure the health and safety of the citizens of their nations. It is great to see Airbnb and other accommodation services supporting those in need with initiatives that provide healthcare workers with safe and clean accommodation to help reduce stress during this uncertain period.
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Airbnb plans to help house 100,000 COVID-19 responders

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Airbnb's initial public offering details highlights the pandemic hit on bookings.
But its been a long-awaited filing for an initial public offering in the United States showed that revenue growth had been slowing before the coronavirus pandemic.
The company is reportedly planning to raise as much as $US3 billion in December. Reuters reported the company could get a valuation of more than $US30 billion.
Airbnb plans for its shares to trade on the Nasdaq under the symbol ABNB.
Airbnb's bookings bottomed in April, plummeting 72 per cent from the previous year.
By June, bookings were down 21 per cent year-over-year.
Trading in 100,000 cities, the filing states that 70 per cent of the company’s top 200 largest cities have some form of regulation on short-term rentals.
Airbnb had a net loss of $US697 million on revenue of $US2.5 billion for the nine-month period to September 30, compared with a net loss of $US323 million on revenue of $US3.7 billion for the same period last year, according to the filing.
The company's filing also confirmed its gross bookings for the nine months ended September 30 tumbled to $US18 billion, down close to 40 per cent on the same period last year.
Airbnb's offering will be led by Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs. 
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jchancellor-FAypfDUnLy

Airbnb's initial public offering highlights the pandemic hit on bookings

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Staying in an Airbnb in New South Wales has been declared an illegal act, Fairfax Media reported today.
But a spokesperson for the Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Kevin Anderson said the reports that it is illegal to stay in short-term rental accommodation was incorrect. 
There is no ban on any kind of accommodation.
The NSW Government advice to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has been very clear.
As per the public health orders, people must stay home with the exception of a number of circumstances including work and to provide care.
The NSW Government acknowledges that in these circumstances the provision of short-term accommodation is often critical, particularly for our frontline health workers.
“It isn’t illegal for them to advertise the property but guests couldn’t get there without breaking the law,” one commentator advised.
 
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jrobinson-rf4aSBido9

Airbnb not made illegal in NSW amid tighter COVID-19 regulations

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EXPERT OBSERVER
 
Short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb are increasingly displacing hotels and holiday letting agencies as the go-to form of accommodation. The ease of booking it all in seconds on your smartphone adds to the appeal of renting a well-appointed flat in Noosaville, or having basil or turmeric on hand in the kitchen of your Katoomba house. With so many people using Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms in Australia, have you ever wondered just how many Airbnbs there are?
The answer is 346,581. Or at least that’s the number of unique properties listed at least once in Australia between July 2016 and February 2019 (the period for which we have a complete data set for the entire country), with a high of 147,655 listed in December 2018. According to research we presented at the recent <a href="http://soac2019.com.au/program-outline/" target="_blank">State of Australian Cities conference in Perth</a>, we estimate about 4% of the Australian housing stock is, or has been, used as an Airbnb.
The number of listings grew by an average of 2.43% a month over that period. If trends continue, we are likely to have set another record this past December.
<iframe style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/5qowC/4/" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="400"></iframe>
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Airbnb property listings generally peak in the summer. The exception is in the country’s north. There the peak is in June and July holidays as chilly temperatures in the southern states send visitors to warmer climes.
<h2>There’s something for everyone</h2>
Airbnb properties come in all shapes and sizes. Just over half (53%) of Airbnb properties can be classed as houses and 37% as apartments. The remaining 10% are considerably more diverse, and include 82 boats, 21 tipis, 26 yurts, 43 train cars and even two lighthouses. You can also book a private island on the Great Barrier Reef, or a treehouse at Cape Tribulation.
The latest available data indicate 74% of listings are for entire homes, 26% are for shared properties and 1% are for shared bedrooms.
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Of the total listings, 5% are studios, while 40% have one bedroom, 25% have two bedrooms and the remaining listings have three or more.
The map below shows the sheer density of these listings nationwide. Click <a href="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/rAsWc/3/" target="_blank">here</a> to see a larger version of the interactive map (hover over dots to display the location – the larger the dot, the greater the number of listings).
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One remarkable thing about Airbnb is how ubiquitous it has become. Of the 2,292 statistical units (<a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Australian+Statistical+Geography+Standard+(ASGS)">SA2</a>) in Australia, 2,226 had at least one listing. As of February 2019, the average SA2 area had on average 56 listings, but the numbers varied greatly between localities.
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The most popular places for absolute number of listings generally fall into one of two categories. Inner cities, like central Melbourne and Sydney, attract visitors year-round.
Holiday destinations, such as the Gold Coast, Byron Bay and Mornington Peninsula, tend to have more seasonal patterns.
<h2>Too big for policymakers to ignore</h2>
A key concern about Airbnb is the degree to which it causes displacement in the conventional rental market and/or disrupts residential neighbourhoods (think of tourists wheeling luggage into your building’s foyer 24/7). While difficult to measure both of these, our data indicate there are basically two types of Airbnb “landlords”: professionals, whose properties are always available, and hobbyists, who are regarded as genuine participants in the so-called sharing economy.
The fact entire home listings have been growing at a faster rate than shared accommodation suggests short-term rentals have been professionalised over time. Increasingly, management companies rather than individuals are leasing properties full-time.
Short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb are unlikely to disappear overnight. Some hotel chains and booking sites have adapted their strategies accordingly by providing apartment-style living alongside conventional hotel rooms.
The sharing economy has expanded tremendously over the past decade. A recent Australian <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-03/Consultation-Paper-A-sharing-economy-reporting-regime-1.pdf">Treasury report</a> estimates nearly one in two Australians earned extra money from sharing economy services in the last six months of 2017. The impact on the economy totalled more than A$15 billion.
Policymakers increasingly need to consider the impacts of Airbnb and other sharing economy platforms. Understanding the complexity of all the pros and cons will be critical to making informed decisions.
 
<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/thomas-sigler-339478" target="_blank">Thomas Sigler</a>, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/radoslaw-panczak-914705" target="_blank">Radoslaw Panczak</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805" target="_blank">The University of Queensland</a>
This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/ever-wondered-how-many-airbnbs-australia-has-and-where-they-all-are-we-have-the-answers-129003" target="_blank">original article</a>.
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Ever wondered how many Airbnbs Australia has and where they all are? We have the answers

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GUEST OBSERVATION

A Victorian court decision that an Airbnb agreement had the status of a lease has profound implications for guests and hosts.

With summer holidays around the corner, many Victorians may be thinking about offering their homes through a home-share platform, such as Airbnb, while they get away themselves. Airbnb’s terms of service describe home-share arrangements as a “<a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/terms" target="_blank">licence</a>”. Legally, a licence can be terminated at any time and a guest who does not leave is a trespasser.

However, in 2016 the <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/vic/VSC/2016/313" target="_blank">Victorian Supreme Court decided</a> home-share arrangements may constitute a lease. This decision indicates residential tenancy law may apply to all home-share arrangements where the host is away from the premises.

This would impose significant legal obligations on hosts, who would be regarded as landlords. Guests, if considered tenants, would have all the associated legal protections.

[smartcode_project:default project_id=8032]

For example, if a guest refuses to leave the premises, the host/landlord would have to follow the eviction process required by tenancy law. This has happened in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-host-cant-get-squatter-to-leave-2014-7/commerce-on-business-insider/?r=AU&amp;IR=T" target="_blank">California</a>. Australian courts will eventually have to decide this issue.

How did the court arrive at its decision?

The court’s decision involved a tenant who offered the premises to guests on Airbnb. The court decided the tenant had breached the terms of the lease by subletting the premises. The tenant was evicted, as tenants cannot sublet without the landlord’s consent under <a href="http://www6.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/rta1997207/s81" target="_blank">tenancy law</a>.

The court focused on the relationship between the tenant and the guest and determined that the host had given “exclusive possession” of the premises to guests. In Victorian tenancy law, exclusive possession is required to create a lease.

The court said it did not matter that each guest’s stay was only a few days, or that the Airbnb terms described the arrangement as a “licence” rather than a lease.

Although the court’s decision applied to tenants in this case, logically the decision applies to all whole-of-premises home-share arrangements, including where the host owns the premises. This is because the legal test for creating a lease is the same as that for creating a sublease.

The decision is controversial because home sharing on Airbnb is similar to boarding arrangements (where the host provides accommodation and services such as cleaning), hotel rooms and serviced apartments. These arrangements are usually regarded as a licence, not a lease. This is because the host has access to the property during the guest’s stay (for example, to do cleaning), so exclusive possession is not given to the guest.

In fact, Airbnb arrangements are unlike typical tenancy agreements. They specify check-in and check-out times, furniture, linen and towels are usually provided, and “house rules” (for example, on noise levels and smoking) may restrict the guest’s use of the premises.

In addition, Victorian residential tenancy laws <a href="http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/consol_act/rta1997207/s10" target="_blank">do not apply to premises ordinarily used for holidays</a>. Potentially, this could exclude premises used for home sharing.

The situation may be different in other Australian states and territories, which, unlike Victoria, exclude from residential tenancies legislation agreements for the purpose of a holiday. However, not all home sharing is done for holiday purposes. For example, it’s also used for travel for business.

Legal uncertainty remains

The court’s decision means tenants who provide rented premises on Airbnb without the landlord’s consent may breach their own tenancy agreement and be evicted. However, the court stated that the particular circumstances of each case must be examined.

For example, hosts who provide only part of the premises (such as a bedroom and shared used of a kitchen) but who continue to reside in the premises will not be subletting. This is because they have not provided exclusive use of the premises.

However, if the host is away from the premises, then residential tenancy law may regulate home-share arrangements. This would give guests (now considered a tenant) stronger legal protections, including protection from eviction. The decision shows a court can ignore the description of the arrangement in an agreement if it determines exclusive possession has been provided.

Airbnb provides support to hosts and guests in the case of a dispute over a stay. It also provides compensation to hosts (akin to insurance) if guests damage the property or cause the host financial loss. However, if a host is found to have obligations under residential tenancy law, these obligations belong to the host/landlord, not to Airbnb.

The contentious aspect of the Supreme Court’s decision is its treatment of short-term hotel-like accommodation as a lease. However, it strongly suggests that <a href="https://www.propertyobserver.com.au/http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AdelLawRw/2018/10">residential tenancy law may regulate</a> whole-of-premises home-share arrangements. That’s likely to come as a shock to Airbnb hosts - owners and renters alike.<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/128051/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" width="1">

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bill-john-swannie-161231">Bill John Swannie</a>, Lecturer in College of Law and Justice, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/victoria-university-1175">Victoria University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-martin-203935">Chris Martin</a>, Research Fellow, City Futures Research Centre, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>

This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/your-airbnb-guest-could-be-a-tenant-until-the-law-is-cleared-up-hosts-are-in-limbo-128051">original article</a>.
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j.ballantyne1990-6AQqhLzZaK

Airbnb guests could be tenants: Until the law is clear hosts are in limbo

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Hometime, Airbnb’s leading property management partner in the APAC region, has raised a further $6.7 million on top of a recent $6 million funding round completed in May 2019.
The round includes NAB Ventures, backed by one of Australia’s largest banks.
In addition, Hometime has completed two more acquisitions in the most recent quarter - Host My Home in Cairns and bnbpal in Melbourne.
NAB Ventures and AS1 Growth Partners said Hometime’s rapid expansion combined with its scalable business model in a high growth sector attracted them to the company.
Further, a strategic alignment between National Australia Bank and Hometime businesses could see NAB’s retail customers access Hometime’s services to build alternative income streams for their investment properties.
Co-Founder &amp; COO of Hometime, William Crock, said Hometime will use the additional funds to rapidly accelerate growth through acquisition and market expansion - both in Australia and internationally.
Mr Crock said, “the global short stay property rental market will approach US$115 billion in 2019 compared to approximately US$40 billion in 2010 representing an average annualised growth of 13%. As the largest and fastest growing operator in Australia we plan to capitalise on these tailwinds and drive further growth over the coming years as the market matures and consolidates."
“Hometime now supports home owners in nine cities across Australia and New Zealand with many more on the horizon," he added.
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Australian Airbnb property management startup Hometime raised another $6.7 million

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The ATO are set to seize the personal finance data of more than 200,000 Airbnb homeowners in an attempt to crackdown on tax avoidance.
"Airbnb is currently under legal notice by the Australian Taxation Office to share information concerning your hosting activity from the period from 1 January to 30 June 2019," an email sent out to Australian members of Airbnb.
The move comes after the ATO suggested they believe there are a number of people not reporting their income. 
“We believe some people using sharing-economy platforms are failing to report their income, ­either on purpose or because they assume their level of activity constitutes a hobby and doesn’t require reporting,” the ATO advised.
“We also seek to identify taxpayers who use sharing-economy rental platforms as a way to disguise their property as being genuinely available for rent by listing the property but not responding to enquiries.”
Names, addresses and emails are all expected to be given to the ATO, as well as personal finance such as online banking, payments, booking dates and gross income.
The information gathered will start from the financial years 2016-17 and run to the current financial year.
Airbnb have recently announced the <a href="/news/airbnb-short-term-rental-rules-in-new-south-wales-get-closer">new draft rules for their hosts and guests</a> which includes an online list of banned members, as well as a three strikes and you're banned policy.
 
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Airbnb to hand over letting details to ATO

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The New South Wales government have released the draft code for the Short-term Rental Accomodation (STRA) industry.
"Compliance with this code is mandatory for all short-term rental accommodation industry participants," the code reads.
One of the biggest changes will be an exclusion register, publicly available online which will list banned hosts and guests.
The bans, that last five years, will be administered on a strike process.
Two strikes in a two year period will put the guest or host on the register.
The commissioner for Fair Trading in the NSW Department of Customer Service is tasked with administering the code.
The STRA industry is estimated to be worth $16 billion to the NSW economy, nearly half of the  $31.3 billion national worth. 
The 16 page draft code put forward four objectives of the new regulations.
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set out the rights and obligations of short-term rental accommodation industry participants
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provide for resolution of disputes and complaints concerning the conduct of short-term rental accommodation industry participants
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outline the compliance and enforcement approach that applies for contraventions of the code by short-term rental accommodation industry participants
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facilitate the oversight of the short-term rental accommodation industry.
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Greg Channer, managing director of Wollongong holiday home property manager <a href="https://www.emeraldaqua.com.au/" target="_blank">Emerald &amp; Aqua</a>, said the company welcome the draft code for the Short-term Rental Accomodation (STRA), having been engaged in the review process which began in 2015.
​“The short term rental accommodation is a key driver of tourism in rural and regional NSW and clearly the impacts on residents amenity resulting from inconsiderate or anti-social behaviour by some short-term rental guests needs to be addressed," Channer said.
"The industry is being held accountable for poor guests’ behaviour, it's these few guests and the culture of party houses that needs addressing. “
Channer suggested the current draft code does not go far enough to protect the amenity of neighbours and residents.
"Booking platforms need to take a greater responsibility for unreasonable disturbance, remove ‘Instant Booking’ features and ensure property managers speak with each guest prior to accepting their booking request and qualify the reason and nature of their stay.”
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Channer estimates the STRA industry in the Illawarra generates around $3.7 million a year to the local economy directly to the area's cafes, restaurants and tour operators.
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NSW release draft code of conduct for short term rental accomodation

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Regulation is coming for the short-term rental accommodation (STRA) industry in NSW, but not before further discussion on how it should work for residential dwellings.
The advent of online accommodation booking platforms has seen the national industry estimated to be worth $31 billion nationally in 2016, with NSW’s share about half of that figure, with short term rentals benefiting the economy and providing income for property owners.
But the shift away from hotels, motels and the traditional bed and breakfast establishments has caused problems for communities. 
At present, STRA is regulated differently in different local government areas across NSW, undermining certainty for hosts and communities.
The new schemes is a long time coming, following a parliamentary inquiry in 2015-16 and an options paper in 2017. 
In June 2018, the NSW Government announced a state-wide planning code permitting the use of dwellings under certain conditions, including limits on the days the rental can take place.
The NSW Parliament passed the Fair Trading Amendment (Short-term Rental Accommodation) Act 2018 in August 2018.
There will be a mandatory code of conduct that will apply to online booking platforms, letting agents, hosts and guests.
It was proposed that strata schemes can adopt a by-law that prohibits STRA where the property is not a host’s principal place of residence. 
Any such by-law will need to be adopted by special resolution, with 75% of votes supporting the proposal at a general meeting.
There will be ‘exempt’ and ‘complying’ approval pathways that enable a limit on the number of days possible depending whether the host is present and where the host is not present.
The policy seeks state-wide consistency in the definition and permissibility of STRA, although it will allow regional councils to nominate different day limits for un-hosted rentals,
These council include locations with many coastal location such as in Clarence Valley Shire around Angorie, Yamba and Iluka. Ditto Muswellbrook Shire around Denman and Sandy Hollow. There's also special rules around Lake Macquarie and Ballina Shire.
The presiding departments, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and Department of Customer Service (DCS)  are now seeking further feedback from the NSW public on the government's proposal.
There are going to be rules that ban hosts and guests in certain circumstances mostly regarding anti-social behaviour. The decision will come from the commissioner who will maintain a registry publicly available on the internet.
The rules require booking platforms and letting agents to keep the full particulars of each accommodation arrangement for five years.
Feedback is sought on matters including the process for registering a property; the information required to be included on the register; who gets access to information on the register and the costs associated with establishing and managing the register.
Given the time that industry may need to develop and establish the register, the regulatory framework won't commence until 2020, although there is some prospect of a staged implementation towards the end of 2019.
The closing date for submissions is September 11. Making a submission at www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/have-your-say-short-term-rental-accommodation-reforms or mail to: Director, Housing Policy NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment GPO Box 39, Sydney NSW 2001.
Meanwhile the government has convened an advisory committee which includes stakeholders including Airbnb; Home Away/Stayz; Property Owners Association New South Wales, Destination New South Wales and the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales.
This article first appeared in The Daily Telegraph. 
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