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Changes to extend local government approval powers under WA’s Caravan Parks and Camping Regulations will come into effect on 1 September 2024.

The reforms streamline the application process for temporary accommodation approvals on private property, cut red tape and offer more flexibility for local governments.

Previously, local governments could only provide approvals maximum of 3 months, or up to 12 months if the proposed arrangement was in a caravan and the person had a building or demolition permit. Standard camping approvals for longer than 3 months required a separate application to the Minister for Local Government.

Benefits of the simplified process include:

• no approval required if a person intends to camp on private property for 5 days or less
• applications for longer periods can seek approval from the relevant local government rather than the Minister for Local Government
• local governments can now approve all camping applications for up to 24 months
• applicants may re-apply to the local government on expiry of an approval
• local governments can revoke approvals if an applicant fails to meet the conditions of approval.

All applicants will still need to satisfy the existing conditions for these approvals, including meeting health and safety requirements set out in the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997.

Special approval from the Minister for Local Government will still be required if more than one proposed caravan or tiny home on wheels is proposed to be placed on a private lot.

The Minister for Local Government will retain the power to consider camping approvals in instances where a local government does not provide an approval or revokes an approval.

More information is available in our updated Temporary accommodation and camping outside of caravan parks.

If you have further queries, please contact 61 8 6552 1530 or legislation@dlgsc.wa.gov.au for assistance.