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Subscriber only A proposal to allow short-term letting at a Maroochydore high-rise apartment building has gained momentum once again after the developer was forced to halt the bid in March. After discovering the arrangement, the Sunshine Coast Council issued a show cause notice in September last year to the building s body corporate for breaching short-term letting restrictions by acting as an unapproved hotel. Direct Rentals had applied to turn 23 units in the 72-unit building into short-term accommodation in February. However, after an extension, Direct Rentals lodged an updated application on April 27 to include an additional unit, taking the total to 24.
In response to the notice, Direct Rentals has applied with the council to turn 23 units in the 72-unit building into short-term accommodation. However, in a letter to Direct Rentals dated February 12, council advised that the application had not been properly made. The letter explained that the application required written consent of the body corporate. Whilst it is recognised that the application included legal advice, the short term accommodation use includes an area on the ground floor used as the reception area, which is within the common property of the complex, the council s principal development planner Marc Cornell said in the letter.
Meanwhile, other owners have told the
Daily they were aware there would be some holiday letting but were never informed it would be short-term stays. Wollongong resident Mr Purkis disagreed with the group. I found it all quite a surprise because it was in the product disclosure that we could use them for short-term rentals, that was the way that I actually found them online as well with advertising for it to happen, he said. I found it quite surprising that people are now arguing against it. I understand that they re upset because they re in there and they feel like it s a hotel but they should have bought somewhere else if that s the case.
Marcia and Jim s daughter Debbie bought an apartment each to stay connected to their former homes. The duo however have been left less than impressed after Direct Rentals lodged an application for Sunshine Coast Council approval to use 23 units in the 72-unit building for short-term accommodation. My family sold the property to developers and it was always going to be a residential apartment building never any thoughts or even spoken of being a hotel, Debbie said. It s really making it difficult to live here. Ms Gill said it was heartbreaking for her entire family. My family would be rolling in their graves to know that this has happened, she said.
Blood-spattered walls and floors are some of the scenes residents of a Maroochydore apartment building say they have come across as a result of unruly guests.