The Surf Coast Shire says local governments with the biggest spread of short stay dwellings should receive appropriate funding from a new state levy.
New data from consultants Urbis, published in The Age, shows the coast, Hepburn and Alpine shires have ten per cent of housing stock listed on Airbnb.
Surf Coast Mayor Liz Pattison says in some areas it’s much higher, and that’s compared with a state-wide total of 1.6 per cent.
“We believe that sometimes in Lorne, and places along our coast, it’s around 20 per cent,” she said.
Council has long been grappling with housing affordability issues in the region and says that pricing people out of a home is having demonstrable impacts on coastal communities.
“From sports teams, to CFA members, to essential workers,” Cr Pattison said.
In May 2021 the council declared a key worker accommodation crisis in response to the lack of affordable homes, noting it was impacting the economy and sustainability of local communities.
Since then the shire has continued to rate as one of the most expensive places to rent a home in regional Victoria.
Cr Pattison says the Victorian governments 7.5 per cent tax on short stay accommodation providers “will help fund social and affordable housing,” but it must be proportionately shared with local government areas under the greatest strain.
“We would like to see this money equitably distributed so that regions most impacted – like ours – receive their fair share,” she said.
