Tiny home pilot nears end as council weighs future

The future of tiny houses on wheels on the Surf Coast remains under review, with the pilot program due to conclude in December. Photo: supplied.

A DECISION on the future of tiny houses on wheels on the Surf Coast is drawing closer, with the council continuing to assess the results of its pilot program.

With six months remaining in the Tiny Houses on Wheels pilot program, the Surf Coast Shire remains in the evaluation phase and is surveying participants ahead of the trial’s scheduled conclusion in December.

Launched in 2024, the pilot was designed to assess whether tiny houses on wheels could provide a lawful, safe and sustainable contribution to housing affordability and diversity across the shire.

Under the program, a tiny house must be built on a wheeled trailer base and located on privately owned land with the landowner’s consent.

Despite attracting significant interest when it launched, the pilot has received only a small number of applications, with five tiny houses approved and installed to date.

The shire believes changes to state government legislation allowing small second dwellings on residential properties have prompted many residents to pursue that option instead.

General manager of placemaking and environment Chris Pike said the shire was still assessing whether mobile dwellings could play a role in addressing housing shortages.

“We are still looking at whether mobile dwellings provide a safe, legal and sustainable solution,” he said.

“At this stage, we can’t comment on any recommendations arising from the evaluation, including any future arrangements for current participants.”

The lack of a definitive decision has frustrated some within the industry.

Surf Coast Tiny Homes owner James Colby said uncertainty around the pilot’s future was becoming increasingly difficult for prospective buyers and existing residents.

“Nothing is confirmed unfortunately and people are hoping to live in these conditions in the future, or are already doing so,” he said.

“The interest we are seeing for our services on the Surf Coast is sky-rocketing, so it’s hard not being able to guarantee that lifestyle for people.

“There will be huge benefits to being one of the leading councils in extending and allowing tiny home living.”