Shellharbour City Council has endorsed the next step in its Tiny Homes Pilot Program, formally adopting the planning changes needed to bring the trial into effect.
Caption: Mayor Chris Homer inside a mobile tiny home. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.
The Tiny Homes Pilot is a two year trial that removes the need for a development application for certain mobile tiny homes used as rental accommodation in Shellharbour. These homes are compact, portable dwellings built on trailers and can be registered as a vehicle under the Road Transport Act 2013.
Following public exhibition and community feedback, Council has now adopted the Planning Proposal and accompanying Local Approvals Policy, which will update local planning rules to allow the pilot to proceed.
Mayor Chris Homer said the decision is a practical step in tackling local housing pressures.
“This pilot explores new ways to make housing more flexible and accessible, while keeping appropriate planning and safety protections in place,” he said.
“We know housing affordability is a real challenge in our community. This trial gives us the chance to explore a solution in a considered, responsible way and understand what works before making any longer-term decisions.”
The trial will be closely monitored to understand how tiny homes operate in practice, including impacts on neighbourhoods, infrastructure and housing supply.
Next steps:
- Council will finalise the Planning Proposal in consultation with the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, which will allow the pilot to begin
- The Local Approvals Policy will be formally adopted and put into effect
- Council will continue to monitor and review the trial, including community feedback and outcomes
Toward the end of the trial, Council will review the results and decide whether to continue, amend or conclude the program.
KEY MESSAGES:
- Council has adopted the Tiny Homes Pilot Program to help provide more flexible and lower cost housing options
- The two year trial will allow certain mobile tiny homes to be installed without a development application, under clear rules
- Council will monitor the pilot and review its impacts before deciding on any long term approach
