<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Australians living in caravans could be hit by restrictions following a push by the New South Wales government.
Under the planned changes, people living in caravans on private property will have to get council approval if their vehicle is larger than 20 square meters or if it is connected to electricity and water for more than six months.
Current legislation allows people to live in caravans on private property indefinitely if it is used by someone from the main household.
Eryn Norris lives in a caravan at the back of her parents’ property in Kariong, on the New South Wales Central Coast.
The 23-year-old said the proposed reforms would discourage people from pursuing the affordable housing option.
Australians living in caravans could be hit by restrictions following a push by the New South Wales government.
“It would be drastic for a lot of people, even people my age, but also, like my grandparents’ age, it would be detrimental to so many people’s ability to have a safe home,” Mrs Norris said.
‘I looked into renting and renting was very much out of the picture while I was in college. It’s 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.
“We would all like to eventually own our own house, but to even think about doing that we would have to make over $100,000 a year, which… out of college is almost impossible,” he said.
She said she feared she would never own her own home and hoped she and her three sisters could live together in the caravan when they grew up.
VanHomes CEO Vito Russo said the change was unnecessary, particularly during a housing crisis.
Under the planned changes, people living in caravans on private property will have to get council approval if their vehicle is larger than 20 square meters or if it is connected to electricity and water for more than six months.
“We’re not against updating the legislation, but there’s definitely a lot of work to be done,” he told Sky News Australia.
‘As the current proposal stands, it will exacerbate 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.”
A large proportion of VanHomes’ customers include young people trying to save money, grandparents who want to be closer to their grandchildren, people with mental health problems and survivors of domestic violence.
“Some councils still want you to go through a development application process and once you go through that DA process you could be looking at a delay of up to 12 months and another $25,000, $30,000 cost,” Mr Russo said.
Planning Minister Paul Scully (pictured) said in a statement to Sky News that the proposed reforms were aimed at ensuring greater security at the facilities.
Planning Minister Paul Scully said in a statement to Sky News that the proposed reforms were aimed at ensuring greater security at the facilities.
“It has been 30 years since the current regulations on caravan parks, manufactured home properties and mobile homes were reviewed,” the statement read.
‘Many things in the industry have changed, some good and some bad. We want to focus on what works well and build on it.
“At a time when we see more and more small houses and mobile homes becoming permanent second homes, we also want to give our councils peace of mind when planning local services and infrastructure.”
Those affected by natural disasters would be given special dispensation to live in a caravan set up in a backyard – without council approval – for up to two years.
A second package of proposed reforms will be considered later this year.