Cade Lucas
Tiny homes providing crisis and emergency accommodation on council owned land could soon be a reality in Wyndham.
At Tuesday night’s meeting of Wyndham council, a notice of motion – Demountable Homes for Crisis Accommodation on Council Land, moved by councillor Robert Szatkowski, was carried with majority support.
A report will now be prepared to identify vacant council owned land that would be suitable for hosting tiny homes and housing providers that would be interested in partnering with council for the initiative.
In moving the motion, Cr Szatkowski said building demountable homes on vacant council land was an opportunity for councillors to take meaningful action on a serious problem.
“We (council) already have a comprehensive housing strategy in place and there is an agreed position within this council to consider using both land capital approved property for crisis accommodation,” he said.
Cr Szatkowski estimated there to be $142 million worth of idle council owned land that could be used to host demountables and provide badly needed crisis accommodation in the municipality.
“There is a glaring shortage of such accommodation in Wyndham. This scarcity forces our residents who are already in distressing situations to seek help outside our municipality.”
Speaking against, deputy mayor Josh Gilligan questioned the $142 million figure, pointing out that this assumption included land that was in no way suitable for demountables or any type of accommodation.
“The tip is included in that assumption,” said Cr Gilligan.
“I don’t think people want housing on the tip.”
The motion gained strong support though from Cr Heather Marus, who said too many people in Wyndham were being forced to sleep rough.
“A beautiful girl I found the other day at Werribee South, was living in the bushes,” Cr Marcus recounted passionately before adding that if suitable council land couldn’t be found, she’d be happy to donate her own.
“I’ve got plenty of room in my backyard and they can come and build two (demountables) in my backyard. I’d take them in to live in my house.”
Cr Szatkowski’s motion was carried with only Cr Gilligan and Cr Adele Hegedich voting against.
Wyndham council CEO Stephen Wall will present the report in three months.
