The WA government has introduced amendments to regulations that will let local governments approve people staying in caravans on private land for up to two years. 

West Australian councils have welcomed the move, saying it gives them more flexibility to address housing shortages. 

Under the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997, local governments can currently only approve transitional housing arrangements – for example while a house is being built, after a natural disaster or for seasonal workers – for a maximum of three months.

However from September 1, local governments will be able to approve renewable applications to stay in a caravan, bus or tiny home for up to 24 months.

Applicants will still need to meet health and safety requirements, and local governments can establish policies to guide their consideration of approvals, the government says.

Advocacy from local government

The reforms follow advocacy from regional local governments.

Jane Kelsbie, who represents the electorate of Warren- Blackwood in the state’s south-west, worked with councils to broker the changes, which she describes as a game changer for anyone needing temporary accommodation, and for the growing ‘tiny house’ community.

“Across Warren-Blackwood, there is a strong demand for seasonal worker housing, and we have already witnessed the positive impact of using tiny homes on wheels to meet this demand,” she said.

WALGA President Karen Chappel says the changes will help ease housing stress. 

“WALGA and local governments in the South West and Great Southern regions have been calling for a change to the regulations as another way to address the current housing crisis,” she said.

“These changes are another tool in the toolbox to help alleviate housing stress, including for local workforces or during recovery from a natural disaster.”

The reforms would reduce red tape and discourage unlawful camping, local government Minister Hannah Beazley said.

“I’m proud to deliver these common-sense changes that local governments and advocates for tiny homes on wheels have been seeking,” she said in a statement.

Camping on private land without approval will also be extended from three to five days to better align with traditional holiday periods, the minister said. 

Special approval is still required for more than one caravan on a single lot, and the minister will also be able to issue approvals in some circumstances, for example if a local government does not deal with an application in a reasonable time frame.