State Government’s registration scheme for Airbnb-style operators opens

A Statewide registration platform for short-stay accommodation providers opened for business this week in hopes it will prove a salve for the challenge of rampant Airbnb-style bookings across the Capes region.

The platform came as a recommendation of a State parliamentary inquiry into the short-stay sector amid concerns, at their peak in the Augusta-Margaret River shire and City of Busselton, Airbnbs were a major factor in the region’s housing crisis.

It also follows years of complaints about unregistered providers dodging local government laws and causing angst for residential neighbours.

The State Government has waived initial 12-month $250 registration fees between now and September in an effort to drive uptake.

Commerce Minister Sue Ellery said the new register would offer “a comprehensive picture” of WA’s short-stay market and collate data on where properties were listed most and under what terms.

“We urge accommodation owners to sign up as soon as possible,” she said.

Planning Minister John Carey said the registry aimed to provide more certainty for all stakeholders and guide future State Government policy.

“For the first time, local governments will know with confidence how many short-term registered accommodation properties are in their area and where they are located,” he said.

“This means they can make informed decisions to manage how they operate in local communities.”

The State Government’s actions received a mixed response from the Capes’ local governments.

While the Augusta-Margaret River Shire applauded the State getting involved in an oversight capacity, the City of Busselton would be forced to rework local laws to accommodate the changes.

The Government retained the powers of local governments to decide where short stays would be permitted, seen as a key plank in the defence against the sector.