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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.
The 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 has applied with the council to turn 23 units in the 72-unit building into short-term accommodation. However in a letter dated February 12, the council advised that the application had not been properly made and required written consent of the body corporate. Direct Rentals director Adam Thomas said his company s town planner had requested and been granted a 20-day extension. He said the extension was to allow the council to consider the reply tendered by Direct Hotels last Thursday.
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.
The body corporate was asked to show cause by October why it shouldn t be issued with an enforcement notice - however the document containing the response has not been made available to the public. The body corporate was warned that fines of up to $600,525 were applicable for contravening a development approval, unlawful use of a premise and carrying out assessable development without permit. Direct Hotels operates several other properties on the Sunshine Coast, in Townsville, central Queensland and in Brisbane. The company is part of Direct Collective which also includes Direct Rentals and First Home Buyers Academy. In response to the show cause notice, Direct Rentals has lodged an application with the council to turn 23 units in The Rhythm on Beach into short-term accommodation.