Could a pilot program at the opposite end of NSW provide hope for those wanting to live in tiny homes in the Byron Shire?
With finding a place to live in Byron seemingly becoming harder by the day, the option of living in a tiny home on a rural property would seem a logical and sustainable solution.
But NSW’s planning laws are notoriously unfriendly to those wanting to pursue this option.
Mobile tiny homes are typically treated as caravans under the law, meaning that they are subject to strict conditions such as the requirement that they only be occupied by a member of the primary household.
Those wanting to live in a fixed tiny home often have to go through a complex and costly development application (DA) process that makes it a far less cost-effective option.
However, earlier this month Shellharbour Council on the south coast introduced an amendment to its Local Environment Policy that would allow the installation of mobile tiny homes on existing residential properties without a DA and no restriction limiting occupation to members of the primary household.
Pilot project
The policy, which would be tried out via a two-year pilot, involves careful regulation, with tiny homes having to meet setback requirements, size guidelines, and restrictions regarding bushfire and flood risk.
The tiny home would also have to be on a property with an adjoining approved home and be connected to water and sewer systems.
Shellharbour Mayor, Chris Homer, said the trial would greatly simplify the process for placing tiny homes on residential properties while maintaining basic planning and safety regulations, and also allowing the homes to connect to existing infrastructure.
‘We know that renting can be hard and expensive,’ Mayor Homer said.
‘This is about giving people more housing choices, while making sure everything is safe and well-managed.’
‘Tiny homes offer a flexible and lower cost option for locals. This trial will help us see how well they work in our area.’
To allow the trial to proceed, Council will prepare a Planning Proposal to change the Shellharbour Local Environmental Plan 2013.
This must be approved by the state government, and also subject to a 28-day public consultation process within the Shellharbour local government area.
These processes could take up to six months to be completed.
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