Southern Downs Regional Council reveals two major changes to residential dwelling regulations

A southwest Queensland council has realised the grass just might be greener on the other side, making two major changes to its residential dwelling regulations. See what’s changed here.

A silver lining to the housing crisis could be around the corner for a regional Queensland town.

Living in an approved tiny or alternative home has been un uphill battle for residents across the state, with the decision left at the discretion of individual local councils.

A petition handed to Queensland parliament in late 2023 called on the government to amend the laws and allow permanent residential use of tiny or alternative homes. It asked the government to recognise buses, tiny homes on wheels and caravans as permanent housing options and amend local town plans to allow rural properties to host several tiny housing options.

In responding to a recent community survey on small homes, Southern Downs Regional Council has made two major changes to its residential dwelling regulations.

Restrictions around the minimum size of residential buildings or class 1 buildings have been removed, along with the additional application and associated fee on small homes, further eliminating the additional approval process for class 1 buildings similar in appearance or design to a shed, garage or the like.

A council spokesman told Warwick Daily News there has been 40 amenity and aesthetic applications received for dwellings less than 60sq m since 2013, with only one refused.

Southern Downs Regional Council has answered the calls from hundreds of residents asking for changes to the local residential dwelling regulations. Photo: supplied

This amendment puts the region in line with other local councils, simplifying the approval process for residents to build budget friendly homes that suit their overall needs.

Councillor Joel Richters said the updates reflected the strong community feedback from the survey and offered practical solutions to the ongoing housing crisis.

“We know that right now many residents in the Southern Downs need more affordable housing options,” Mr Richters said in a press release.

“Council is doing everything it can to allow people to choose the style and size of home that suits their lifestyle and their budget.

“The results of our recent survey overwhelmingly told us that people in our region want housing stability and if that means via a tiny home then they were OK with that.”

Mayor Melissa Hamilton said the new council is committed to listening to Southern Downs residents and making decisions necessary to support their ambitions and needs.

“These amendments should send a clear message that the Southern Downs wants more housing in a range of sizes and we want to make our planning system more user friendly,” she said.