A 60-day cap on some short-term rental accommodation in the tourism mecca of Byron Bay has been welcomed as a “common sense win for workers and residents” by the nation’s peak accommodation body.

Accommodation Australia (AA) national CEO Michael Johnson said it was good to see a stand being taken to bring more properties back to the long-term rental market.

“There have obviously been big issues with the long-term rental market in tourism hot spots like Byron Bay for some time,” Mr Johnson said today.

“Our industry, for example, has been crying out for workers. The jobs are there but no one can move to an area to work if there is nowhere for them to live.

“The people who actually permanently live in the local area and work in the hotels, cafes, bars, restaurants providing the great experiences tourists rely on actually need places to live.

“They – along with key workers and other would-be permanent residents - shouldn’t have to have to travel for miles each day because they have been squeezed out of the rental market by short-term accommodation.

“That’s why the 60 day cap in some areas of Byron Bay is a good common sense win for workers and residents alike.”

AA NSW Manager Stacey McBride agreed a tightening of caps was urgently needed.

“This is a move that takes a step towards addressing the needs of the long-term rental market while at the same time leaving hosted short-term rentals unaffected,’ she said.

“It’s a good balance by the NSW Government and Byron Shire Council.”