What began as a hopeful plea to the Yarra Ranges Council for flexible housing options ended in disappointment for the Belgrave South tiny house resident, Evrim Sen and partner Benny.
Despite the initial support from councillors, the couple had no choice but to leave the area they had called home for the past three years.
Cost-of-living, a rental crisis and a housing market out of reach for many, the council’s ultimate ruling was that the couple must leave their tiny home on wheels.
Ms Sen, who has lived in her tiny house on wheels for three years in Belgrave South, had hoped to settle in the region, build a life, and start a family. Other people came forward to the Star Mail at this time who lived in varying types of tiny homes across the Yarra Ranges.
Despite community support and a petition with over 1000 signatures urging the council to allow tiny homes on wheels as legitimate housing, Ms Sen and Mr Redfern were told to vacate their home by the end of July and have already been evicted, with the tiny house itself required to be moved as well.
Stating that he fully acknowledged it was a complex issue, Mayor at the time, Cr Jim Child said that many community members feel strongly about it.
The Statewide and local regulations that govern the use of Tiny Homes, and non-compliance can result in enforcement action.
While some planning exemptions exist for small second dwellings, they do not automatically apply to Tiny Homes.
In the Yarra Ranges, many properties have planning overlays including bushfire management, environmental significance, erosion management and land subject to inundation overlays.
Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures, Kath McClusky said to a resident at question time in August that 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.
