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The opportunity for academics and other University visitors to rent short-term accommodation near the Crawley campus may be threatened by a potential new planning scheme.

Local business woman Annabelle Walsh  is leading  a group of businesses and private owners who fear they may no longer be able to rent out their properties for short periods.

The City of  Subiaco has made its Draft Local Planning Strategy available for public comment until 5pm Friday 23 August.

"This is your one chance for the next 10 years to have your say in the content of the Local Planning Strategy which forms part of the Town Planning Scheme," she said. "Of particular concern to local business and organisations, is the lack of affordable accommodation in the area.  Disappointingly, this is not addressed in the draft LPS other than to offer incentives to new development through its new Local Planning Strategy.

"Local property owners are offering short stay furnished tenancies to meet the enormous accommodation needs of visitors to the hospitals and UWA. Primarily, this accommodation needs to be affordable, located nearby and offer self-catering facilities.  Tenancy lengths range from one week  to three months, but are not covered by the Rental Tenancies Act.

"Whilst the council supports short term tenancies in theory, the LPS will proceed without mention of short term tenancies unless we act now to inform Council of the importance of this issue.  Without representation in the LPS, all of the private rentals currently used by UWA could become unavailable.

"If you have used the services of privately-owned short stay accommodation, or see the need to do so in the future - we would welcome your support."

Ms Walsh said many local property owners who liked to rent out their apartments were UWA staff.

She has asked for interested staff to fill in a questionnaire which will be submitted to council.

Subiaco Council are also  welcoming public comment via online submissions .

You can also contact Ms Walsh for more information here .