Council moves to decommission tiny homes amid housing crisis

Helen Andrew Judy Stark Jacqueline Morton and Angela Smith on Angelas tiny home on wheels deck

Judy Stark Jacqueline Morton and Helen Andrew in front of Judys caravan discussing enforcement notice

Jacqueline Morton thought she was doing the right thing hosting a couple of tiny homes on wheels on her 32-acre Belli Park property, but it has resulted in a long battle to keep roofs over heads.  

The Sunshine Coast Council took it one step further recently, issuing an Enforcement Notice ordering the decommissioning of the two dwellings on the property.

“The laws are completely unjust and outdated, and we are appealing this Enforcement Notice,” Ms Morton said.

“I should be able to help my community on my property without the threat of losing my home in massive fines.

“We’re in a major housing crisis, and I have the land.”

After years of pressure from Council, one of the residents, Judy, moved out of her caravan, hoping Council would leave the trio alone, but Ms Morton said that was not enough; they wanted a caravan in good working order made uninhabitable.

Jacqueline has been hosting Grandmother Judy Stark and Angela Smith, a single mother of two young boys, during the housing crisis, providing them with some security and a sense of community.  

“This is the only home I have ever owned; now I am homeless, couch surfing and staying with friends and family.  It was my sacred space, my home, my garden, and now I can not use it,” shares Judy.

“It’s beyond belief that this is going on a time when affordable housing options are almost non-existent in our region and when Councils Australia-wide are trialling progressive solutions to land use and mobile dwellings,” Helen Andrew, a local housing advocate said.

Ms Andrew has been campaigning for years for changes to the local laws to allow landowners to host on a sliding scale up to five tiny homes on wheels, depending on the size of the land, long-term and without a permit.

In Ms Morton’s case by hosting two tiny homes, Council deems her to be carrying out ‘assessable development’ without approval, which is unlawful under the Planning Act 2016. 

Her appeal will be assessed to determine whether the Development Tribunal has jurisdiction. If they don’t, Ms Morton can appeal to the Queensland Planning and Environment Court. 

Ms Andrew said while the demand for this alternative form of permanent housing grows, owners need somewhere to park their homes and for Council’s to adapt to the times. 

“Long gone are the days when caravans and converted buses were only used temporarily; now they are the only option for many, and they need somewhere stable to park and live in them long-term,” she explained.

“We are in a housing emergency, and more needs to be done to treat people’s housing needs with greater urgency, compassion and seriousness.  We have been advocating the Queensland State government and our local council for over a year, yet they are ignoring this growing affordable housing choice.”

The proposed new local law Ms Andrew is campaigning for recommends a sliding scale on the number of mobile tiny homes or caravans a landowner can host depending on the land size.  

“The Council is aware of many landowners across the Sunshine Coast housing tiny homes on wheels without a permit, and they do nothing until they get a neighbour complaint. 

“Our campaign asks the Council to make legal what they are already allowed by turning a blind eye,” Helen said.