The planning amendment would block about 20,000 homes across Hobart from being wholly converted into short-stay accommodation. (ABC News: Mitchell Woolnough)
Hobart City Council's planning committee has approved a plan to restrict the creation of new whole-home short-stay accommodation in the city's residential areas.
The proposed planning amendment would block about 20,000 homes from being wholly converted into visitor accommodation, though it will not affect existing permits.
The proposal will be sent to the Tasmanian Planning Commission, which will have the final say on whether it goes ahead.
A plan to block Hobart property owners from converting their entire homes into short-stay accommodation has passed another milestone, with the local council voting to send the proposal off for final approval.
A fresh proposal from the Hobart City Council would block about 90 per cent of the city's homes from being wholly converted into short-stay accommodation.
The proposal, which aims to restrict the creation of new short-stay accommodation in the city, was considered by the Hobart City Council (HCC) at its planning committee meeting on Wednesday.
The tweak to planning rules would block about 20,000 homes from being wholly converted into visitor accommodation, such as Airbnb or Stayz.
"The draft amendment delivers a clear net community benefit through improved housing outcomes while still allowing the visitor economy to be accommodated," council officers wrote.
"The primary purpose of the proposed amendment is to limit the impact of new visitor accommodation use on the availability and affordability of housing for long-term residents in the city.
"It was informed by extensive background analysis, including data on housing and rental markets, tourism trends, existing visitor accommodation supply and planning approvals."
Council officers said the plan delivers a "clear net community benefit" by improving housing outcomes, while still accommodating the visitor economy. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
More than 50 submissions were made while the plan was out for public consultation across June and July, with 15 supporting the amendment while 41 were in opposition.
The representations in support of the amendment focused largely on the impact that whole-home short stays have on the rental market, housing affordability, neighbourhood cohesion and the function of residential zoning.
Those against the amendment highlighted the benefits short stays have on the city's economy and tourism, their role in providing accommodation for workers and families, private property rights, investment certainty and the impact on small business owners.
