November 30th, 2022B&B Woes

We have recently had need to search out a letter in The Local (Issue 256, June 20, 2022) submitted by Dave McLachlan detailing his life now he is surrounded by bed and breakfast businesses.

Mr McLachlan details loss of amenity and privacy and privacy in his life and the total disregard of the letting agents and it seems the council is not interested either. He has our complete and utter sympathy.

Here in our quiet Trentham street only six months ago we had zero B&B businesses and now we have three and rumours of at least another one soon, possibly two. There are many more in the town already and the list continues to grow.

Hosted B&Bs are one thing but those that are agency-controlled are a blight on the community and it’s little wonder rental accommodation in the town, let alone Hepburn Shire, is virtually non-existent. Under current Victorian law a B&B facility capable of accommodating five or less people apparently does not require a planning permit but does need to be registered with the local council.

That application must include a plan of the premises drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100 and show the proposed use of each room. Said premises might require registration of food premises if the business provides food and the local environmental health officer should be contacted to ensure compliance if it is deemed necessary.

One imagines in these events the council would have certain fees it can charge. According to council’s own website there is also a higher rate charge applicable to these premises even where the owner lives on site. Does the council charge this rate in all cases?

I do very much doubt that this is happening as again many of these business are not reported to the council as per my comments above. Council is hereby requested to provide details regarding the number of B&B premises in its jurisdiction (if it actually knows) and how many are actually being charged the higher rate.

Council is also asked what its policy is on B&Bs in general and does it have plans to review this situation? Frankly it’s high time the general community decided to take back our environment and amenity from these people as they are not in the least interested in community. It’s all about the sacred dollar.

From – David Somerfield, Trentham.

Letters or musings are always welcome. Keep them shortish and to the point. Or long and interesting. Any addressed Dear Sir will immediately be deleted. You know why…!)