THE party could be over for rogue short-term accommodation operators.

The State Government will today introduce harsh new regulations governing so-called “party houses” which would force all existing or new short-term accommodation operators to apply for a development application with the Gold Coast City Council.

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The council will also be given the power to identify “party house restriction areas” where residential properties will be forbidden from operating as short-term rentals.

The Government says it will bring to an end more than five years of legal limbo for the controversial accommodation option.

media_camera Queensland Planning Minister and Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney.

There are thought to be more than 700 party houses across the Gold Coast, with most in Broadbeach, Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Waters and Surfers Paradise, as well in the Hinterland at Tallai.

The regulations will be introduced into the Parliament today by Planning Minister Jeff Seeney as part of proposed changes to the Sustainable Planning Act.

“We are giving councils the power to decide where these houses can operate in their local area,” the Deputy Premier said.

“These amendments will deal with the problems caused for locals when residential dwellings are regularly hired, rented or leased out for the purpose of hosting events.

“We have also given councils the flexibility to opt in, if desired, rather than mandating amendments for all planning schemes for an issue that is only a problem in a relatively small number of local government areas.”

The legislation will affect major party house locations such as the Gold Coast, Noosa, Cairns and North Stradbroke Island. The new measures are certain to pass the Parliament with the Newman Government’s majority.

Party houses are short-term accommodation rentals which are operated as a pseudo-business, with some regularly rented out for wild parties.

On the Gold Coast, police have had to be called to deal with loud music and lewd behaviour.

Mermaid Beach MP Ray Stevens said the new legislation would empower councils to regulate the operation of party houses.

“These amendments will be a win for local residents who through no fault of their own have suffered at the hands of party house operators who ­deliberately and knowingly flouted the rules,” he said.

“If rogue operations try to party on the council will have the power to shut them down.”