By DAN RYAN
Buying a home has never been more expensive, leading some buyers to consider purchasing a tiny home on wheels.
The Tiny Home Expo, held in the foothills of the Blue Mountains at Richmond, drew visitors from across the region, with organisers saying people travelled an average of four hours to attend.
Between shipping containers turned futurists living quarters, luxury pods, shepherds huts and ultramodern tiny homes on wheels, speakers led prospective and current homeowners through the ‘tiny’ culture helping shift the dial on a housing shortage.
“You can talk about asking permission from councils all you like, but you really need to answer to most of all your neighbours,” expo organiser Phae Barrett said.
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“The only difference, I would say, with getting [a tiny home] for a primary dwelling is that it's unlikely that you're going to be getting getting a primary dwelling, tiny house without going through council.”
Tiny homes are increasingly featured in the spotlight as a one-stop solution to offer a permanent home to those unable to afford their own home, or access a rental in rural and regional areas. President of the Australian Tiny Homes Association, Rochelle Ryan, said advocacy on a council level was crucial in helping support safe and sustainable housing solutions.
“The Australia Tiny House Association, with all the partners, are now going to government trying to get a new legislation in relation to tiny homes, because we're trying to get old caravan laws to meet the current housing crisis, and a part of the housing crisis is the fact that we've got this groundswell industry,” she said.
“We've got more councils coming on board doing their own individual tiny home plan. We have a policy for local councils which advocate for one ratepaying house, to have a tiny house.”
A spokesperson for Cowra Council said while there are no specific development controls or restrictions on tiny homes, approval processes do apply.
“Tiny homes can certainly be considered an affordable housing option. Council encourages members of the community to consider a wide and varied range of housing which can readily accommodate their needs, with Tiny Homes being one option available,” the spokesperson said.
“A similar approval process applies, to tiny homes as that of manufactured homes – both require development consent under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 for the use of the land for residential dwelling purposes.”
The spokesperson added that another application under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993 for the installation of a moveable dwelling could also be needed.
“If the tiny home is on wheels and is a registerable vehicle it could potentially be considered a caravan,” they said.
“However this is not generally suitable for those wanting a permanent residence on an otherwise vacant property since the Local Government (Manufactured Home Estates, Caravan Parks, Camping Grounds and Moveable Dwellings) Regulation 2021 has restrictions on the length of occupancy of a caravan on private property, except as ancillary to an existing dwelling.”
“We would encourage anyone who is interested in installing a Tiny home to make enquiries with Council.”
