The Times Australia
The Times Australia
.

Northern New South Wales may be facing a schoolies invasion

  • Written by Strata Community Association


Northern New South Wales may be facing a “schoolies invasion” and unit, apartment and townhouse owners need to prepare – or be left with a potentially large clean-up bill.

And at the same time, the worldwide Airbnb “party house” ban will be put to the test.

Schoolies Week 2020 has been formally cancelled by the Queensland Government, because of coronavirus restrictions, leaving many northern NSW school leavers needing to rethink their plans this November.

The peak strata body in NSW has noted comments by Byron Bay Mayor Simon Richardson who confirmed schoolies in the northern NSW tourist town - emerging as the most viable schoolies option for Sydney students due to travel restrictions - would not be serviced with typical amenities this year.

As authorities confirm the end-of-year event will look quite different at hotspots in Northern New South Wales, young people and event planners are being warned that any large parties will be shut down under public health orders.

The peak strata industry body in New South Wales representing the interests of all strata industry stakeholders is warning strata managers to exercise vigilance when considering applications from school-leavers, and reminding young people that Airbnb has banned 'party' houses and parties will not be tolerated this year.

Strata Community Association (NSW) says despite the restrictions, overcrowding in apartments, noise complaints, damage to private and common property, drugs and underage drinking, and the health and safety of all are some of the concerns held by the industry in New South Wales.

Given schoolies are being allowed to rent accommodation for small groups of people with nowhere else to go; unlawful parties are more likely to occur, and damage to private and common property in apartment blocks could be significant.

SCA (NSW) President Chris Duggan says, “We are urging strata managers and on-site letting agents to carefully consider applications for accommodation from school-leavers to ensure issues like overcrowding and parties are avoided.

“Parents of schoolies should be very aware that they may now be held liable given this party house ban or for any damage caused to individual units and apartments or public spaces. The entertainment factor may be scaled right back because of COVID-19, but the bookings will still happen whether border restrictions are in place or not.

"Any schoolie flouting Public Health Orders or partying in an Airbnb booking could face stiff penalties and could face legal action for those who are caught. I'd urge strata managers and residents to speak up in any instance that overcrowding or unlawful parties occur in a strata-titled property,” Mr Duggan said.

The right-of-passage party event, which sees thousands of high school graduates descend on Australia’s coastal cities, has led to some costly consequences for owners of units, apartments and other strata-titled property in the past, and the requirement for the schoolies to keep within their accommodation only increases the likelihood of it occurring.

Australia will soon have its own ‘centre for disease control’. Let’s not repeat the chaos of the US

Australia is a step closer to having its own national agency to inform and co-ordinate public health respons...

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...