2024-09-02
Tiny houses represent a small but significant part of a solution to the Australian housing crisis. They offer an affordable path for those wanting a foothold on the housing ladder or for retirees looking to downsize. Let us look at the growth of the tiny house movement in Western Australia in the past decade and the changes to local government regulations needed to make them more readily available in Western Australia.
By Damian Brennan, Green Issue Co-editor
In recent years, Western Australia has witnessed a remarkable shift in its housing landscape, driven in part by the tiny house movement. This phenomenon, though seemingly modest in scale, reflects a profound rethinking of our relationship with space, sustainability, and community. Let's delve into the history of this movement and uncover how it has transformed the housing narrative in Australia.
Origins and Influences
The tiny house movement began gaining global traction in the early 2000s, driven by a rising interest in minimalism and environmental responsibility. These ideas quickly resonated in Australia, particularly as people faced growing concerns about housing affordability and ecological impact.
By the early 2010s, Australians in Victoria and NSW started embracing tiny living, building compact homes that challenged traditional housing norms. This grassroots enthusiasm was driven by a desire for a sustainable lifestyle and the pressures of an increasingly expensive housing market.
Emergence and Challenges
Media attention in 2014 played a crucial role in popularizing tiny houses in Western Australia. Documentaries, articles, and social media highlighted the charm and practicality of small living spaces, leading to a quiet revolution with tiny houses appearing in Fremantle, Kalamunda, and Margaret River.
However, this newfound interest faced significant obstacles. Building codes and zoning laws, designed for conventional homes, created barriers for tiny houses. These regulatory challenges often forced enthusiasts to operate under the radar, hiding their homes in backyards to avoid detection, living in constant fear of being identified by local council officers and having to move their tiny homes.
Community and Advocacy
Despite these challenges, the movement persisted, thanks to passionate advocates and visionary leaders. Pioneers including the Australian Tiny House Association (https://tinyhouse.org.au/) highlighted the benefits of tiny homes ‒ affordability, reduced environmental impact, and improved quality of life ‒ while working to align their vision with existing regulations. Around 2015, local tiny house communities and organizations emerged to promote tiny living and push for legislative changes. Notable groups include Tiny Houses Denmark Western Australia currently with around 2,000 members and Tiny Houses Western Australia currently with over 5,000 members.
My Tiny House Journey
I built my own “Oblongular” tiny house between 2015 and 2018. Initially, I moved it to a friend’s backyard in Seville Grove, paying a nominal rent for utilities. However, the City of Armadale quickly issued a move on notice, under regulations that limited occupancy to just three days a month. In early 2019, I sold my tiny house on wheels and bought a small plot of land, where I commissioned a pine cabin from Cabins WA. My Banksia Cottage, though compact at around 35 square meters, meets building codes for a primary dwelling. After 10 months of negotiating with the City of Armadale, it was approved and then quickly completed in December 2019.
Living (legally) in a Tiny House
Fortunately, things began to change in 2023 when Esperance introduced new regulations allowing long-term occupancy for tiny houses on wheels. As it is a structure on wheels, tiny houses are currently not required to adhere to the National Construction Code in Esperance. They are designed around tiny houses on wheels and do not apply to caravans and converted buses.
A few months ago, Danny Reinhold was a pensioner living in a converted bus in the Shire of West Arthur. His battle with the shire resulted in a rule change just announced by Hannah Beazley, Minister for Local Government. Living in caravans, buses and tiny houses will now be permitted across the state for up to two years. Previously this provision could be applied by local councils on a case-by-case basis on the assumption a house was being built on the property. The new legislation has also expanded the limit for short stay use from three days to five days a month. While this is a significant step, it still doesn’t allow tiny houses for permanent residency.
The new regulations still lump caravans, buses and tiny houses on wheels together as one thing. Tiny houses on wheels are designed and insulated for year-round living whereas caravans are generally poorly insulated and designed for short stays.
The Esperance regulations provide a clearer pathway for integrating tiny houses into residential areas, allowing them to be permanent residences on appropriately zoned properties if they meet specific criteria. Additionally, the updated building codes offer more precise standards tailored to the unique characteristics of tiny homes, ensuring safety and structural integrity while preserving their innovative design features.
Cost
Lifestyle shows and stories on social media talk about tiny houses being self-built for around $10,000. Five years ago, a more realistic budget for a self-build was around $30,000. To build my cabin on foundations today remains roughly equivalent in cost to buying a tiny house on wheels from a local builder at around $90,000. In either case, it is virtually impossible to obtain a loan for a home under 90 square meters, meaning anyone wanting a tiny house will need to save enough to buy it outright.
Looking Ahead
The tiny house movement in Australia is at an exciting crossroads. As awareness and acceptance grow, there is increasing recognition that tiny houses can play a significant role in addressing housing affordability and environmental concerns. The movement's evolution highlights a broader shift towards innovative, adaptable housing solutions that cater to a diverse population.
Moving forward, continued dialogue and collaboration between residents, local authorities, and tiny house advocates will be essential in refining and expanding these regulations to break the new two-year barrier.
By updating policies and supporting long-term occupancy, councils can help tiny houses thrive as a practical and desirable housing option. The tiny house movement promises a more sustainable and equitable approach to living, and its impact on Australia’s housing landscape will continue to unfold in new and transformative ways.
Header photo: “Oblongular” Tiny House between two caravans. D. Brennan
[Opinions expressed are those of the author and not official policy of Greens WA]