Is the party over for the Goldie?

Australia may need to find a new city to party. Source: ThinkStock

WHAT happens when a city famous for partying is slapped with a ban on exactly that?

Fed up with loud and offensive behaviour from travellers, the Gold Coast council has been given the power by the Queensland Government to ban some residential properties from operating as short term rentals.

The move has infuriated rental companies such as Airbnb, who say the blanket ban as unfair to non-party rental properties.

"We believe that councils should address disturbance issues through noise ordinances, instead of outright bans on short-term rentals that will affect both party houses and responsible hosts and guests," an Airbnb spokesperson told news.com.au.

The harsh regulations designed to curb "party houses" will force all existing or new short-term accommodation operators to apply for a development application with the Gold Coast City Council.

It will also give council the power to identify "party house restriction areas", preventing residential properties from operating as short-term rentals.

The council wants an end to the partying. Source: News Corp Australia

With an estimated 700 party houses spread across the Gold Coast, the ban is bound to hit the hip pockets of many property owners.

Airbnb believes there are other ways of keeping guest behaviour in check, such as their online rental review system.

"After each stay at an Airbnb listing, hosts are able to review their guests which encourages guests to treat the host's home with respect and not as a party house. Our economic impact studies demonstrate that Airbnb brings tremendous benefits to local economies."

But is it enough to tame the city's wild side?

Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the law is designed to address the problems with loud music and offensive behaviour stemming from these type of holiday rentals.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney laying down the law. Source: News Corp Australia

"We are giving councils the power to decide where these houses can operate in their local area," Mr Seeney 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."

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."