12/06/2026
Western Australian Minister approved a Tiny House on Wheels on private residential land after a local council refused the application
A significant Western Australian decision has offered hope to tiny house advocates across Australia.
After the City of Wanneroo refused Kathryn Payne’s application to live in a Tiny House on Wheels on private residential land, the matter was escalated to WA Minister for Local Government Hannah Beazley. Following review, the Minister approved the THOW for habitation purposes for 24 months.
What makes this decision especially important is the health and safety finding. The Department arranged for the City to undertake a health and safety inspection and assess compliance with the Regulations. The City confirmed there were no concerns.
This matters because “safety” is often used as a broad reason to resist tiny homes, sometimes implying that tiny homes are inherently unsafe. This case shows why assumptions are not enough. A properly assessed tiny home, on suitable land, with access to services, can be managed through practical conditions rather than blanket refusal.
This is not just a personal win. It is a reminder to councils that evidence-based assessment matters. Heavy-handed refusal is not always conclusive, nor is it always beneficial.
Kathryn and her father's courage gives others strength. Across Australia, from Victoria to New South Wales, Qld and Western Australia, the conversation is shifting. Tiny homes are no longer fringe. They are part of the future of housing choice.
