By Michael Burt
A mobile tiny homes proposal on the NSW south coast was highlighted at this week’s Bellingen Shire Council Ordinary meeting as another potential option to ease the shire’s housing crisis.
The Shellharbour City Council is progressing a Tiny Homes Pilot Program, which would involve a two-year trial to remove the need for a development application for mobile tiny homes used as rental accommodation in Shellharbour.
The proposal is currently on public exhibition following the NSW Government issuing a Gateway Determination for Council’s Planning Proposal. A Gateway Determination is a key step in the planning process that allows a proposal to move forward for further review and community feedback, and signals in principle support for the proposed trial.
Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan sought support from fellow councillors for an initial scoping report on the potential relevance of the Shellharbour Mobile Tiny Homes Pilot Project to Bellingen Shire.
“The pilot presents an opportunity to better understand emerging planning approaches being explored by other councils in response to housing pressures,” Mayor Allan said.
“The Bellingen Shire Council Local Housing Strategy identifies the need to increase housing diversity, affordability and supply across the Shire, while also recognising the importance of delivering housing outcomes that respond appropriately to local character, environmental constraints and infrastructure capacity.”
“The Strategy acknowledges the need to explore innovative and alternative housing models that may assist in addressing current and emerging housing challenges.”
“A review of the Shellharbour model would assist Council in understanding the regulatory framework, implementation challenges, opportunities and broader implications associated with tiny homes and movable dwelling approaches.”
Mayor Allan said he is not proposing any immediate policy change but seeking informed advice and analysis to support future Council discussion on potential housing innovation pathways.
Shellharbour City Council Mayor Chris Homer said moving to public exhibition was an important step in progressing the pilot.
“This project is about responding to the very real housing pressures people in our community are facing, while making sure any changes are carefully considered and well managed,” Mayor Homer said.
“The Gateway Determination shows there is support to explore this idea, and now it is time for our community to review the detail and tell us what they think.”
Any mobile tiny home installed under the proposed changes would need to comply with a range of requirements, including minimum setbacks, connection to essential services, fire safety measures and construction standards.