Controversial caravan reforms enrage Aussies: ‘Changes everything’

Australians living in caravans could face restrictions after a push from the NSW government.

Under the planned changes, people living in caravans on private land will have to get approval from the council if their vehicle is larger than 20m² or if it has been connected to electricity and water for more than six months.

Current legislation allows people to live in caravans on private land indefinitely if it is used by someone in the main household.

Eryn Norris lives in a caravan at the back of her parents’ property in Kariong on the NSW central coast.

The 23-year-old said the proposed reforms would discourage people from seeking affordable housing.

“It would be drastic for so many people, even people my age, but also people my grandparents’ age, it would be detrimental to so many people’s ability to have a safe home,” Ms Norris said .

‘I looked into renting and renting was completely out of the picture during my studies. It’s way too expensive, so we looked at different types of living situations, something that would work for us and this – without council approval – just changed everything.

“Ultimately, we would all like to own our own home, but to even think about that you would have to make over $100,000 a year, which… finishing college is virtually impossible,” she said.

She said she feared she would never have a home of her own and hoped she and her three sisters could live together in the trailer while growing up.

VanHomes CEO Vito Russo said the change was unnecessary, especially during a housing crisis.

Under the planned changes, people living in caravans on private land will have to get approval from the council if their vehicle is larger than 20m² or if it has been connected to electricity and water for more than six months.

“We are not against updating the legislation, but there is certainly a lot more work to be done,” he told Sky News Australia.

“As it stands today, it will worsen the housing crisis.

“It’s almost contradictory to announce all these initiatives to provide more housing, more affordable housing and on the other hand… change the legislation.”

Many of VanHomes’ customers include young people trying to save money, grandparents wanting to be closer to their grandchildren, people with mental health issues and survivors of domestic violence.

“Some municipalities still want you to go through a development application process and once you go through that DA process you can expect a delay of up to 12 months and another $25,000, $30,000 in costs,” Mr Russo said.

Planning Minister Paul Scully (pictured) said in a statement to Sky News that the proposed reforms are aimed at increasing the safety of installations.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said in a statement to Sky News that the proposed reforms are intended to ensure greater safety at installations.

“It has been 30 years since the current regulations governing regulations surrounding mobile home parks, manufactured housing complexes and portable housing were revised,” the statement said.

“A lot of the industry has changed, some good and some bad. We want to focus on what works well and build on that.

‘At a time when we are increasingly seeing small houses and portable homes becoming permanent secondary homes, we also want to offer our councils peace of mind when planning local facilities and infrastructure.’

Those affected by natural disasters would be given special dispensation to live in an installed caravan in a backyard for up to two years – without council approval.

A second package of proposed reforms will be considered later this year.