Holiday home owners have formed a forum to voice concerns about a potential rate increase which could be implemented after the City of Busselton’s next budget.
It was revealed in the city’s last council agenda that holiday homes in the region could be subject to a 10 per cent increase which would put them on the same rate as other accommodation providers in the region.
The additional funds raised from the differential rate, which is applied to other accommodation providers, are used by the city to market the region.
If councillors agree to the rate increase it is expected holiday home owners on average would pay an extra $172 per year which would raise $120,000 for the city.
Currently, holiday home owners are subject to a fee of $295 to change the use of their property from residential, and $121 if neighbours are notified by mail or $382 if the change needs to be advertised.
They are also charged $364 for registering their property as a holiday home along with $242 each year to renew their registration.
South West Holiday Home Owners spokesperson Simon Marden said it was not a level playing field to introduce a higher rate when holiday homes had to pay a registration each year.
Mr Marden said holiday home owners were not people with lots of money, they were mums and dads who were more likely to be Airbnb users renting out their home or a bedroom.
He said one man he knew of was retraining to become a teacher and was renting out a bedroom on Airbnb to subsidise his income. The man did not realise the license fee was so expensive and had to opt out.
“These are the sort of people we are trying to protect,” he said.
“It is not really affecting the status quo, it is a different clientele and I believe the rising number of tourists in the region is due to affordability.
“We are bringing a new set of visitors to Busselton who could not otherwise afford to come here.”
At the council meeting last Wednesday, City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley said discussions had taken place after calls were made from guest house owners to make it an even playing field.
Mr Henley said the matter would be considered during the budget deliberation.
Have your say: Should holiday home owners be subject to the same rates as other accommodation providers? Email editorial.bdmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.