Shire progresses plans on tiny homes, affordable housing

THE Surf Coast Shire is taking steps to address housing shortages in two distinctly different ways, working towards a trial of tiny houses in the municipality and releasing an expression of interest to build more affordable housing in Aireys Inlet.

At their meeting on Tuesday this week, councillors resolved to progress the development of a process to allow a trial of Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOWs).

There has been community interest in THOWs – generally defined as a dwelling with no more than 37sqm of floor area – and the shire is considering them in its review of the Community Amenity Local Law 2021.

In their progress report on the review, officers stated the best approach, “due to the complexity and variety of views on this issue”, would be a two-year trial to seek public feedback and assess the impact on the shire’s resources, which would also address “the need to better understand the level of contribution THOWs would make to resolving the affordable housing crisis”.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Libby Stapleton said she welcomed progress on THOWs as a way to create housing for workers because of “the opportunities they offer our community in terms of living more sustainably as well as providing more accommodation”.

“The proposed Local Law would be be based on successful tiny house laws already being used by other councils, which is really important because I think that will increase our chance of success here on the Surf Coast.”

Cr Gary Allen said a two-year trial would allow the shire to “navigate the minefield of state and federal regulations”.

“This will not be the panacea for the issue, but I firmly believe that tiny homes will help provide a temporary remedy, and they will be part of the long-term solution.”

The shire will establish a project team early in 2023.

Councillors also resolved, at their meeting, to endorse the findings of the community engagement about the Aireys Inlet Affordable Housing Project to develop the vacant land at 2 Fraser Drive next to the four existing dwellings for social and affordable housing, and to start the expression of interest process to find a Registered Housing Agency to work with the shire.

The officers’ report stated there was a high level of community support for the project, but this was “contingent on the development being of ‘high quality’, ‘ecologically sustainable’, ’employing robust building techniques’ to ensure longevity and ‘look beautiful – a place people want to live in’.”

Cr Stapleton said the housing need was critical in Aireys Inlet, as well as across the municipality.

“Anecdotally, we hear regularly about another local needing to relocate because they no longer have access to a rental property or affordable housing.

“So the need is very real, and it’s immediate – we need to accommodate people urgently – but we also need to ensure that our communities remain viable long into the future.

“There will be challenges that need to be addressed, such as parking, traffic, access to support services and public transport, what sort of density will achieve the best outcome, and the potential impact on local neighbourhood character and amenity, but overall, this project presents such a significant opportunity to showcase and set a new benchmark for how social and affordable housing can be delivered to a high standard in regional locations with a focus on community, environment and affordability.”