A resident has stepped forward with another question on tiny homes to the council this week as Mayor Jim Child announced both a stop to questions on tiny homes and a dedicated page for them on the same evening at the most recent Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 12 August.
Yarra Ranges Council has presented a firm boundary to the community about how they wish to engage with them on the subject of tiny homes, whilst simultaneously updating its webpage on the matter.
Citing efficiency and productive time use in council meetings, Mayor Child said that the council will no longer be accepting questions from the public relating to tiny homes at their regular meetings.
“I wish to advise that following tonight’s council meeting, future questions to council and submissions relating to tiny homes will no longer be accepted during public council meetings,” he said.
Stating that he fully acknowledged it was a complex issue, Mayor Child said that many community members feel strongly about it.
“The matter has been comprehensively addressed in previous council meetings,” he said.
“Furthermore, council governance rules stipulate that questions to the council and submissions that have previously received answers may be disallowed in future meetings.”
Mayor Child said that anyone seeking further information, updates or clarification on tiny homes should head to the council’s newly launched dedicated web page.
“Which provides detailed guidance and answers to frequently asked questions, any future inquiries on this topic will now be treated as general correspondence,” he said.
Following the Mayor’s announcement, a final question was put to the council by resident Cadi-Lee, who asked what it is about Yarra Ranges Council’s green wedge policy that prevents the use of tiny homes and caravans in the current housing crisis. There was a third component deemed not answerable at the meeting.
“What is required by Yarra Ranges Council to enable people to use tiny homes and caravans in this crisis?” they said.
Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures, Kath McClusky thanked the resident for her question and gave quite a detailed response.
Citing legislation from 2023, Ms McClusky discussed the introduction of a definition of Small Second Homes by the State government and the fact that in rural zones, including the Green Wedge Zone and Rural Conservation Zone, a small second dwelling is allowed, but must have a planning permit.
“In these zones, an owner can apply for a planning permit, provided it meets specific criteria, including being under 60 square metres. Part of the council assessment against the planning scheme will be any environmental risks to an occupant, such as fire, flood or landslip. If the land is vacant, a planning permit will be required,” she said.
Ms McClusky said that a separate building permit may be needed, depending on the structure.
“Our Municipal Building Surveyor has determined that certain types of tiny homes and ancillary structures do require building approval,” she said.
“These decisions are made independently from Council and can only be reviewed through the Building Appeals Board or by providing further technical information.
“Neither Council or the Executive Team have the authority to override a Municipal Building Surveyor decision; only the State Building Surveyor or the Building Appeals Board can.”
Ms McClusky said the rules that govern the placement and use of Small Second Dwellings are set by the State Government and apply across all Victorian councils, which are then embedded into the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme and the Building Regulations.
“Yarra Ranges Council cannot change these planning or building requirements, nor does Council have flexibility in how they are applied,” she said.
Ms McClusky said the council understand the issues confronting the community and that they continue to engage with State bodies, while being committed to reviewing Local Law.
“We are actively listening,” she said.
The council have released an updated Q and A page on its website on tiny homes at:
yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-services/Planning-building-and-development/Planning/Research-before-you-apply/Answers-to-common-application-questions/Tiny-House-Granny-Flat-or-Bed-and-Breakfast
