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Posted: 2023-06-23 23:49:41

Brisbane short-term accommodation providers are collectively paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra rates following a new surcharge from the city council.

It comes as a Queensland government-commissioned probe into short-stay accommodation nears completion, which could lead to reforms in the Sunshine State.

Brisbane City Council announced in its recent budget that it would raise its rates surcharge on short-stay properties from 50 to 65 per cent.

Since introducing the charge last year, council has identified 780 properties that have been put onto the transitionary accommodation rating category.

It says the surcharge saw property owners pay an annualised increase on their rates of about $700,000 in the 2022-23 financial year.

The properties have been progressively identified since the charge was introduced, meaning council's actual revenue was less than the $700,000 annualised amount.

The state government has launched its own analysis into short-term rentals.()

Councillor Fiona Cunningham, who is leading a task force looking into short-stay accommodation in the city, said "everything's on the table" as it considered further reforms.

She indicated legislative changes would be needed from the state government.

"The Planning Act is difficult for local governments to enforce when it comes to the short-stay accommodation sector," she said.

"Additionally, the Body Corporate and Community Management Act makes it difficult for bodies corporate to regulate different types of residential use.

"Thankfully the state government has indicated an interest in reform, which is a positive step."

Fiona Cunningham is leading a council task force into short-stay accommodation.()

Ms Cunningham said the council's task force wanted to hear from property owners, body corporates and short-stay accommodation companies, such as Airbnb.

"We're determined to strike a better balance between our city's need to have short-stay accommodation available during major events and limiting the impacts on residents," she said.

"We're not alone in this challenge. Jurisdictions around Australia and around the world are grappling with this very same issue."

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