CITY of Kalamunda planning officer Stephanie Brokenshire will travel to America to investigate the tiny house on wheels movement after being named the 2018 Local Government Professionals Lo-Go Scholarship winner.
The scholarship includes $10,000 in funding to travel overseas to experience local government operations in another country.
Ms Brokenshire will examine how the regulation complexities surrounding the tiny house movement are being managed overseas.
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READ NOW“Tiny homes are typically less than 50sq m in floor area and are usually built on a trailer,” she said.
“Their numbers have grown significantly over the past decade in both Europe and the US thanks to the establishment of a specialised construction market, annual exhibitions and the introduction of guidelines that support and encourage this housing type.
“In WA, the homes currently fit into a grey area of planning where they are considered a licensed caravan.”
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The City will investigate the development of new scheme amendments and local planning policies that would help to redefine how the tiny homes are treated, making them a more viable and affordable housing option.
Such a move would make Kalamunda the first local government in WA to consider including tiny homes as a separate housing typology.
Mayor John Giardina congratulated Ms Brokenshire for following her passion in innovative housing solutions.
“On behalf of the City I would like to congratulate Stephanie for winning the prestigious Lo-Go Scholarship for 2018,” he said.
“This is a valuable opportunity to see how the tiny house on wheels movement is being incorporated into planning systems around the globe.
“It’s fantastic to see our team at the forefront of making more sustainable, affordable and accessible living options available in our community and WA.”
The City is planning to host a tiny house exhibition later in the year as well as undertake community consultation on the tiny house initiative.
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