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Voices from affected community members on the issue
Sunshine Coast locals describe daily disruptions from short-term rental rules amid the coastal population surge.
How we reported this
Residents in Maroochydore have reported losing long-term housing options as short-term rental approvals rose sharply this year.
The timing coincides with the state government's updated short-term rental registration system that took effect on 1 July, forcing operators to list properties or face fines of up to $10,000. The change follows a 14 percent increase in Sunshine Coast population since 2021, pushing demand for both permanent homes and holiday lets.
One family on Sixth Avenue said they now compete with weekend bookings for the same street parking they once used freely. Another household near the Maroochydore CBD construction site described neighbours converting entire blocks into Airbnb-style accommodation, driving weekly rents past $650. The local branch of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council has tracked vegetation clearing on 23 blocks tied to new rental developments since March.
Stories from Mooloolaba and Kawana
At Mooloolaba, a retired teacher living on Brisbane Road noted that three of the eight houses on her cul-de-sac switched to short stays last summer. She now hears late-night arrivals at 2am and has recorded 17 noise complaints to council since January. In Kawana, near the Sunshine Coast University Hospital expansion site, a young couple reported their lease was not renewed when the landlord listed the property on booking platforms. Hospital staff have cited similar cases, with median unit rents climbing from $480 to $595 a week between March 2025 and June 2026.
Council records show 1,872 new short-term rental registrations lodged in the first half of 2026, concentrated along the coastal strip between Alexandra Headland and Buddina.
Next steps for residents
Those affected can attend the next community forum at the Maroochydore Community Centre on 22 July, where council planners will outline enforcement timelines. Property owners seeking to switch back to long-term leases are advised to contact the Sunshine Coast Regional Council housing hotline before the next compliance audit scheduled for September.