Airbnb hosts in Gerringong, Kiama and Nowra made a total of $19.3 million in the 12 months to January 1, 2019, by letting their properties to holiday-makers. 

Hosts in and around earned nearly double that made by Wollongong hosts in the same period, welcoming more than 93,8000 visitors from across the globe in just 12 months. 

But it wasn’t just out-of-towners using Airbnb on the South Coast. In Nowra, 9,500 guest rented properties in the suburb they already lived. As did 5400 people from Kiama and 2,300 people from Gerringong. 

In 2018, there were 1700 active Airbnb listings in Nowra and surrounds, with the average host earning $12,600 per year. In Kiama there were 240 listing with the average letter earning $11,250 per year and in Gerringong 120 listings, with an average income of $11,900. 

The majority of visitors to the South Coast were from the country’s major capital cities, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, according to Airbnb data. 

READ MORE: The South Coast's most expensive properties sold in 2018

Airbnb Australia country manager Sam McDonagh said in 2018, the community on the South Coast grew strongly, with more local families and small businesses benefiting from the opportunities created by home sharing.

“Home sharing is putting more money in families back pockets and easing the high cost-of-living.  The typical Airbnb host in Nowra for instance earned an extra $240 a week in income,” he said. 

“We are also seeing more South Coast locals use Airbnb as guests and enjoy our community’s unique, high-quality and affordable accommodation.”

Mr McDonagh said he expected the strong growth to continue in 2019, not just on the South Coast, but Australia wide. 

But the growth in Airbnb listings has prompted action from the NSW government, with several new measures being rolled-out to manage short-term holiday rentals. 

As part of the roll-out, guests and host will be banned from the platform for five years if they repeatedly disrupt neighbours. 

Therese Cooper, who lists her Callala Bay property as a short-term holiday rental, previously said the measure was “terrible”.

“It’s very subjective, if you have vindictive neighbours who don’t want the home used for short-term rentals they could complain about anything,” she said. 

A new Code of Conduct to manage noise levels and disruptive behaviour will also come into force this year. But the code has hosts worried. 

“People should be able to have fun on a Friday night,” she said. “If you get two bad tenants in a row you could be stopped from hosting again for five years, it’s too restrictive.”

Ms Cooper said if she were to ever receive a ban, she’d have to consider selling her properties. 

“With council rates and land taxes it’s very expensive,” she said. “This measure could send some homeowners to the wall.”