The balance the government needs to achieve between affordable housing and expanding the visitor accommodation market will be explored over three hearings on changing shared accommodation regulations this week.
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The Tasmanian Fire Service will also caution on the increased bushfire risk to Tasmanian tourists for Airbnb accommodation in the state’s rural areas.
The state government in June instructed the Tasmanian Planning Commission to review the exemptions and standards for visitor accommodation in each of the state’s planning schemes.
It was prompted by increased numbers of Airbnb listings to the state along with the need for more accommodation to cater for rising tourist numbers.
Airbnb recently reported that more than 106,000 guests have taken up Airbnb stays in Tasmania over a year – a growth of 195 per cent on the year before.
It said nationwide there were increasingly more Airbnb spots popping up in regional and rural areas which have limited traditional guest accommodation.
TFS chief officer Chris Arnol said generally visitors in guest accommodation were generally more vulnerable to bushfire risks.
"Occupants may be unfamiliar with the area of their accommodation, may have no prior knowledge or awareness of bushfire," he said.
"Furthermore, existing buildings in bushfire-prone areas are often not designed or constructed to contemporary building standards for bushfire resistance.
"It is the TFS's view that the challenges associated with visitor accommodation warrant careful consideration form a bushfire safety perspective."
Planning Institute of Australia state president Irene Duckett said it was necessary to view any housing changes in the context of unforeseen impacts within the sector.
“A control brought in to accommodate a short term gain can have lasting effects,” she said.
“Home-sharing platforms are already recognised as contributing in a short fall in affordable housing in Tasmania.
“A reduction in affordable housing through increased visitor accommodation in housing stock could diminish the liveability of our residential areas and the potential of other resources, including the growth of education resources.”
The hearings start on Wednesday.