policy
Short-Term Rental Regulation Referendum: Changes for Sunshine Coast Holiday Properties in Maroochydore and Mooloolaba
The ballot measure on short-term rental caps, if passed, would limit the number of days properties can be let in coastal suburbs and redirect some accommodation stock toward permanent residents.
How we reported this
The Queensland legislation introducing a local referendum on short-term rental limits will appear on ballots in Sunshine Coast Regional Council areas during the October local government elections, directly affecting owners of holiday homes in Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Coolum.
State housing data released in the 2026 budget papers show short-term lets have grown steadily along the coast since 2022, coinciding with renewed pressure on long-term rental supply in post-pandemic recovery years. The referendum question asks voters whether councils should gain power to cap annual letting days at 90 for entire-home listings.
Effects on daily costs and services
Residents who rely on seasonal tourism work in Maroochydore would see fewer available holiday rentals if the cap takes effect, while households seeking permanent leases could gain access to properties currently used for Airbnb-style bookings. Local advocates note that families renting near Sunshine Coast University Hospital have reported average weekly rents rising above $550 in 2025, with some properties switching from long-term to short-term use during peak holiday periods.
Policy analysts say the measure would require platforms to verify compliance through council registration, with fines applied to owners exceeding the day limit. This process would also cover listings near the proposed light rail corridor between Maroochydore and the university hospital site, where development controls already restrict new builds.
Timeline and voter information
The government says the policy will be implemented from 1 July 2027 if approved, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland distributing an information booklet to every enrolled address on the Sunshine Coast by mid-August. Voters can check enrolment and request a postal vote through the commission website before the close of rolls on 12 September.
Community information sessions will be held at the Maroochydore Library and the Caloundra Community Centre in the final week of July, where council officers will outline the exact wording on the ballot paper and the process for counting votes by suburb.