policy
Short-Term Rental Referendum Timeline for Sunshine Coast
Voters in Maroochydore, Caloundra and Noosa will cast ballots in October 2027, with any approved limits on holiday letting expected to apply from July 2028.
How we reported this
The Queensland Electoral Commission has set 16 October 2027 as the date for a statewide referendum on short-term rental regulation, a measure that will determine whether local councils gain new powers to cap the number of holiday homes in coastal zones including the Sunshine Coast.
The vote follows repeated council submissions to the state government about the growth of platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz in suburbs where permanent rental stock has fallen. State budget papers released in June 2026 allocate $4.2 million for the referendum process across Queensland, with $680,000 earmarked for Sunshine Coast enrolment and polling logistics.
Local effects on housing and tourism jobs
Residents who own investment properties in Alexandra Headland or Mooloolaba stand to face annual registration fees and occupancy caps if the referendum passes, while long-term renters in the same streets may see more properties return to the permanent market. Tourism operators at Sunshine Coast Airport note that international visitor numbers reached 312,000 in the 2025-26 financial year, many of whom used short-term rentals near beachfront areas.
Policy analysts at the University of the Sunshine Coast have modelled two scenarios: a 25 per cent reduction in short-term listings would add an estimated 1,100 dwellings to the long-term rental pool by 2029, while a lighter registration-only model would leave current numbers largely unchanged.
Next steps for residents
Enrolment for the referendum closes on 15 September 2027. Postal voting will be available for Sunshine Coast residents aged 65 and over or those living more than 8 kilometres from a polling place, with results declared no later than 30 October 2027. Any new rules approved by voters are projected to take effect on 1 July 2028, giving councils 12 months to draft local codes and issue the first round of permits.
Information sessions organised by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council will begin in February 2027 at libraries in Nambour, Maroochydore and Caloundra, covering how the ballot question will appear on the paper and what each outcome would mean for rates notices and compliance inspections.