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Little houses on wheels are set for a two-year trial in the City of Shellharbour, on the NSW coast about 100km south of Sydney. Mayor Chris Homer says they aim to offer locals more affordable, yet safe and well-managed rental options.
“Tiny homes offer a flexible and lower cost option,” he says. “This trial will help us see how well they work in our area.”
Shellharbour has a vacancy rate below 1 per cent, rents soaring on demand from essential workers, students and retirees.
“The housing crisis has gotten deeper and more severe,” Homer adds.
“We have a brand-new hospital being built in Shellharbour. Where are the key workers going to live?”
The small, moveable dwellings are built on trailers and can be registered like a vehicle under the Road Transport Act.
The Council is seeking changes to its Local Environment Plan to allow mobile tiny homes on existing residential properties without a DA, subject to strict conditions.
These include minimum setbacks, connection to essential services, and compliance with fire safety and construction standards.
“We’re not talking about shipping containers on chocks here,” says Homer.
“We’re talking about a very nice place to live.”
Locally-built examples cost from $80,000 to $150,000 depending on the size and fit-out. The plan must be approved by the State government, but it’s already been endorsed by the Real Estate Institute of NSW.
REINSW CEO Tim McKibbon says it’s a good example of innovative, outside the box thinking. “Mobile tiny homes will not be suited to everyone, just as large family homes are often not suited to everyone,” he says. “But at the very least they offer new choices at a time when constrained supply is resulting in many people facing housing insecurity.”
The government OK could take up to six months. Once approved, the plan will be put up for public consultation.