The Strata Community Association Queensland (SCAQ) is strongly advocating for body corporate committees to have the authority to make their own rulings on short-stay accommodation (SSA). Our general manager, Laura Bos, played a pivotal role in the Brisbane City Council’s Short-Stay Accommodation Taskforce, which recently released its report addressing the future of SSA, particularly in light of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics.
The taskforce recommends developing a local law requiring SSA operators to obtain a permit. However, Ms. Bos emphasizes the need for statewide reform to amend the Body Corporate and Community Management Act. This amendment would allow body corporate committees to implement by-laws restricting or prohibiting SSA for non-owner occupiers.
“In framing our recommendations to the taskforce, we had a unifying view – that it’s not about putting an end to short-stay accommodation as an industry, but about finding a way to manage it appropriately,” Ms. Bos stated. “Part of that is recognizing that it takes different forms of accommodation option in different locations.”
Ms. Bos highlights the critical need for body corporate committees to have the right and freedom to make decisions for their complexes, especially in urban areas where SSA is common. This local decision-making is vital for maintaining harmony in strata communities.
The taskforce's recommendations result from broad-based expertise, including collaboration with organizations like Airbnb. Ms. Bos calls on the state government to act on these recommendations immediately.
“State legislation has not kept up with the disruption caused by the evolution of the short-stay accommodation sector, and it’s something they need to look at and fix – immediately,” she urged.
The Strata Community Association Queensland remains committed to advocating for reforms that empower body corporate committees to manage their communities effectively.
