Published on Friday, 1 November 2024 at 8:42:43 AM
Contrary to recent ABC reporting, the Shire is far from ‘no longer allow(ing) tiny houses on wheels to be rented out as holiday accommodation’. The reality is that State Government changes to the Caravan and Camping Grounds Act 1995 mean there will be changes to Shire fees and charges to carry out the new processes, as well as new conditions which accommodation providers need be aware of and take into consideration when planning for their businesses. The Shire will happily continue to process permit applications under the changed conditions.
The changes to the state Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Act 1995 mean the Shire’s Tiny Houses on Wheels Local Planning Policy is now obsolete. It has been replaced with the new Shire Temporary Accommodation Environmental Health Policy.
Under the updated state Act, tiny houses on wheels are now classed as caravans, with the State Government resolving that these may be used for temporary accommodation on private property for up to five days with no permit required. Stays of between five and 30 days and between thirty days and two years will require permits, with permit applications to be assessed and issued by Local Governments.
This State Government mandated requirement comes with no support or resources for the new, time consuming processes Local Governments must now carry out. Processing of permits to stay in caravans on private land will involve admin time to record applications, assessment primarily by Environmental Health officers (EHO) but also Planning and Building staff, onsite assessment by the EHO, referral to neighbours for comment, and construction and issuing of permits with enforceable conditions.
The fees for these services ($150 to assess simpler applications of up to 30 days, $600 for stays between 30 days and two years and renewal with unchanged conditions $300) are very reasonable for owners intending to reside in their dwellings. However, getting worthwhile returns on short term accommodation under the new state conditions may be challenging, with each new visitor stay requiring a separate application.
Your Council moved quickly to explore options for short term accommodation under the new conditions, instructing the CEO to report back to them within six months on any ways this potential holiday and worker accommodation alternative could be made viable in our Shire.
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