Bega Valley: Josh Heins, Manuel Bohns’ tiny home petition rejected by council on technicality

A young couple battling council compliance officers to keep their tiny home or risk massive fines has seen their long-awaited day before council derailed after their enormous petition was rejected on a technicality.

Josh Heins and his partner Manuel Bohn with their tiny home. Picture: Supplied

A young couple fighting to keep their Far South Coast tiny home — or risk massive fines — say their long-awaited day before council was derailed after a 27,000-strong petition was rejected on a technicality.

Josh Heins and Manu Bohn have been locked in a battle with Bega Valley Shire Council compliance officers who claim their tiny home, which has been parked on a friend’s farm since 2023, is unlawful.

The property owner was recently issued a notice warning the dwelling must be removed by September, or they could face daily fines of up to $10,000.

In protest, the couple launched a Change.org petition calling for tiny homes to be exempt from the council’s movable dwelling policy.

It has since gained 27,440 signatures.

The tiny home was first put on the property in 2023. Picture: Supplied

The petition was set to be considered at last Wednesday’s council meeting but Mr Heins said it ended in “massive frustration”.

“They didn’t consider the petition because it was Change.org,” he told this publication.

The tiny home is at a Bega Valley farm. Picture: Supplied

“They said they don’t consider those petitions and it needs to be done on special council papers with at least 50 signatures.”

The couple then submitted a formal petition using council’s required format, quickly securing the 50-signature minimum. That version was tabled on Wednesday.

“They said they were tabling a petition with 50 signatures, but everyone in the room knows we actually have 27,000,” Mr Heins said.

He said it was frustrating to see the issue sidelined again.

“We were ready to discuss it all in council on Wednesday, but now they’ve pushed it all back to August,” he said.

“It’s just very annoying.”

Despite the strong community backing, council papers say the body has an “obligation” to ensure all residences are “safe and appropriate”.

Bega Valley Shire Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said without changes to state guidelines on tiny homes, council’s hands were tied.

“We’ve met with ministers time and time again, and while they say they understand, we are yet to see any changes or clarification,” he said.

But Mr Heins said that excuse was not good enough.

“[Council] love to blame the state, but it’s as much their job as it is the government’s job,” he said.

The petition will now be discussed at the August council meeting.

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Originally published as Bega Valley: Josh Heins, Manuel Bohns’ tiny home petition rejected by council on technicality