Tiny homes could be made permanent for Ballina as council moves towards affordable housing options

Tiny homes are on track to be made permanent as Ballina council seek out affordable housing options for the shire. Here is what’s happening.

Ballina Shire Council are leading a charge for tiny homes to become permanent housing options after formally adopting their Future Housing Strategy at their May council meeting.

Council resolved to include a new action to “encourage tiny homes in appropriate areas” after community feedback supported the affordable housing option.

Ballina Shire Councilor Kiri Dicker said it’s a step in the right direction.

“Enabling permanent living in tiny homes was one of the ideas that was discussed at a public seminar on hosted on affordable housing that I organised in Lennox Head in August 2023, so it’s great to see this idea formally adopted into Council’s Housing Strategy,”Ms Dicker said.

Sam Commerford of Uber Tiny Homes in Byron Bay, designing and building tiny homes that are shipped all over Australia.

“We can’t afford to wait years for the supply of new housing to eventuate.

“Making it easier to live in tiny homes in appropriate circumstances is one way we can unlock instant supply of affordable housing for people on any income level,” Ms Dicker said.

Currently tiny homes, when located on land other than land in a caravan park or camping ground, are considered “movable dwellings” under NSW state planning legislation.

Other types of movable dwellings includes tents, caravans, vans and manufactured homes.

Because they are classified in same group as a caravan, tiny homes can only be lived in for short periods of time.

To live permanently in a tiny home at present, owners must acquire development approval from their local council.

Peter Wigely with one of his tiny homes.

CEO Tiny Homes Australia Peter Wegley said the “wheels are in motion”, that Ballina council understands the necessity, need, and the now, of affordable housing.

“For people experiencing homelessness this is truly an affordable option,” Mr Wegley said.

He said a number of his clients have bought a tiny home and placed it on their property, freeing up a house to be rented.

About ten other councils across Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland have begun pilot programs and initiated legal pathways to allow tiny homes to become permanently occupied dwellings.

Tiny Homes Expo, Toowoomba June 2023

At just a fraction of the price of traditional housing they could help solve the massive housing crisis which sees more than 1046 sleeping rough on the North Coast - according to the Department of Communities and Justice 2024 Street Count.

The minuscule homes start at $100,000, a far cry from an average $830,000 price of a Ballina home or $3 million if you’re from Byron Bay.

Tiny Homes Sarah Ajzner have built two tiny homes on their goat dairy property, as a way to add accommodation and farm stay on their property. About the trend to add accommodation and housing solutions in regional areas by using tiny homes. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Under its new Housing Strategy, Ballina Council will seek to learn from the outcomes of pilot programs on legal pathways to permanent tiny homes in other state council areas.

Ballina council will then review its own planning controls relating to tiny homes, with a view to enable permanent living in appropriate circumstances.

Education material will then be produced to support those interested in tiny home living to help navigate existing planning pathways.

Got a news tip? email [e-mail]