One of Queensland’s most popular holiday destinations is preparing to introduce tough new rules in an attempt to curb noise levels and manage unacceptable holidaymaker behaviour. 

Noosa, on southern Queensland’s popular Sunshine Coast, has adopted legislation that will regulate the operations of short stays and home-hosted accommodation from February 1. 

Under the new law, visitors of short term holiday rental properties in Noosa will be banned from “unacceptable behaviour” like “loud aggressive behaviour, yelling, screaming, arguing; excessively loud cheering, clapping or singing” including in outdoor areas like balconies, decks and swimming pools. 

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The law also requires owners of short stay and home-hosted accommodation to appoint a contact person or manager for the property, and display an approval number and 24/7 complaints hotline number at the front of the property. 

Complaints will be managed through a centralised 24/7 complaints hotline, which will notify the property’s contact person of a complaint.

“The contact person must be available 24/7, be located within 20 kilometres of the short-stay property and respond to all complaints within 30 minutes,” said Noosa Shire Council Mayor Clare Stewart.

“This law is to ensure that if there is excessive noise night after night, which can happen more regularly at holiday (properties), that action can be taken.” 

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There is some concern that the changes could impact tourism to the area.

“It’s easy to blame people who don’t live here and come and stay, but most are doing the right thing,” Noosa Short Term Accommodation Association chair Dave Langdon told Noosa News. “Plenty of people have problems with permanent (residents) but it’s only holiday lettings that’s being highlighted as a problem.”

The legislation follows two rounds of community consultation which saw over 600 submissions from residents, short-stay property owners and industry leaders.

The new laws will be introduced for a 12-month trial period and reviewed next year. 

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