Jade Wellings says caravan plan would help housing crisis

As the housing crisis across the Wide Bay continues to worsen, a Fraser Coast councillor has proposed something out of the box that could make a big difference for desperate families and individuals.

Fraser Coast residents could be allowed to accommodate victims of the region’s housing crisis in caravans on their properties, if an idea proposed by councillor Jade Wellings comes to fruition.

Cr Wellings moved at Wednesday’s meeting that a report be brought back to Fraser Coast Regional Council on the advantages and timeframe for adopting an interim local law that would allow residents to provide temporary free caravan accommodation to people who genuinely needed relief accommodation of up to or more than six months.

The motion was passed unanimously.

The current local law allows a person to stay in temporary accommodation, such as a caravan, for less than two weeks, if it is established on a vacant allotment.

Meeting certain requirements, people can stay in a temporary home for less than four weeks if the accommodation is in the backyard of an existing house.

Even then, there are other specific requirements.

Ms Wellings said the caravan proposal would build on this to align with the needs of the community.

“We recently put in an interim local law to allow us to conduct a trial of electric scooters, so why not have one to help people in their time of need while they find a more permanent home,” Ms Wellings said.

She said did not believe the idea would solve the homeless crisis, but that it could ease the pressure in that space and provide flexibility for those seeking housing.

“For example, you might have a family member who moves to town for work, but can't find anywhere to stay, but you could put them up in a caravan in your backyard while they find work,” she said.

It may also be an option for people in between rental properties.

“It is taking more than two weeks for people to secure a home in the current market, and I can’t see that changing in the short to medium term,” Ms Wellings said.

“Another example could be a teenager who can no longer live at home due to family issues.

“Perhaps their family love them and don't want them on the street, they can’t live in the house but could still be safe in a caravan in their families back yard.

“It would be near impossible for a young person to find a rental when competing with so many others who have a long rental history and well paying jobs.

“This could help keep some off the streets.”

Maryborough One Realty Sales & Rentals office manager Maureen Kay said there were many people without homes.

“There’s a great shortage of rental properties at the moment,” she said.

“There’s a lot of frustration out there with a lot of people without homes and needing homes, and you know, we’re only able to help so far because of the supply.

“There are heaps of brilliant applications... and unfortunately, we can only take one application for a property.

“So there’s a lot of people missing out.”

Ms Wellings said the report would explore issues like public health and safety, where caravans should be allowed and under which circumstances.

Originally published as Jade Wellings says caravan plan would help housing crisis