‘Absolutely and utterly ridiculous’: Pensioner fights for home on own land after Shire's move
- Replies 40
In a tale that seems to echo the classic David versus Goliath narrative, a pensioner's quest for a simple life has become a legal battle with local authorities.
Dan Reinhold, an Australian pensioner, has been the centre of a shocking legal drama after the Shire of West Arthur took legal action against him during a national housing crisis.
The predicament of Reinhold is a stark illustration of the challenges many Australians face in the current housing climate.
With rental prices soaring and availability scarce, the pensioner, grappling with health issues, made the decision to live in a bus on a parcel of land he co-owns in the small rural town of Darkan.
The town, located approximately 250km southeast of Perth, boasts a modest population of just 194, making it a quiet spot for Reinhold to settle down.
However, the tranquillity was short-lived.
Despite his intentions to build a shed and install a septic tank on the property, Reinhold and his friend were informed by the shire that their living arrangement was not permissible.
The local council's stance was clear: the land was not a caravan park, and therefore, the bus could not be used as a residence.
‘Why would we stay at the caravan park when we own the land?’ Reinhold said.
‘The bus is fully equipped and self-contained, it has just got out of hand.’
Reinhold claimed that in the past 12 months, several authorities had been trying to ‘rattle and intimidate’ him in his property.
The situation escalated when Reinhold received a summons to appear in criminal court, charged with the offence of camping outside of a caravan park or camping ground.
‘They are using barristers and solicitors to get this old bloke off his land. It is really over the top, it is absolutely and utterly ridiculous,’ he said.
‘There is a housing crisis.’
The Shire of West Arthur's suggestion that Reinhold's relocation to the Darkan Caravan Park, which they manage, was met with practical concerns.
The park's policy allows guests to stay for a maximum of 28 consecutive days within a three-month period.
Under the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997, local governments in Western Australia do have the authority to grant approvals for individuals to camp on their own land for up to three months, with the possibility of an extension up to 12 months if health and safety requirements are met and the Minister for Local Government approves.
Similarly, in New South Wales, proposed reforms from the new government could impose new restrictions on Australians living in caravans on private property.
This meant needing to gain council approval for caravans exceeding 20 sqm or connected to utilities for over six months.
‘Applications can only be approved if important health and safety requirements outlined in the regulations have been met,’ the spokesperson for the WA government said.
‘Generally, the Minister for Local Government will only approve an application if the local government has advised that it is satisfied that health and safety requirements have been met.’
‘Due to privacy considerations, we are unable to provide comment on whether a specific person had lodged an application.’
‘However, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis as quickly as possible.’
The state government has acknowledged the housing supply issue and has introduced reforms, such as new exemptions for granny flats, to alleviate the problem.
These reforms aim to cut through the red tape and create more housing opportunities, although they do not extend to caravans or homes on wheels, which are only approved for permanent living within caravan parks.
You can watch ABC News’ coverage below:
Credit: ABC NEWS (Australia) / Dailymotion
Have you or someone you know faced similar challenges with local councils or housing regulations? What do you think should be the role of local authorities in ensuring the housing needs of their residents are met? Join the conversation below and let us know your views.
Dan Reinhold, an Australian pensioner, has been the centre of a shocking legal drama after the Shire of West Arthur took legal action against him during a national housing crisis.
The predicament of Reinhold is a stark illustration of the challenges many Australians face in the current housing climate.
With rental prices soaring and availability scarce, the pensioner, grappling with health issues, made the decision to live in a bus on a parcel of land he co-owns in the small rural town of Darkan.
The town, located approximately 250km southeast of Perth, boasts a modest population of just 194, making it a quiet spot for Reinhold to settle down.
Dan Reinhold was summonsed by his local Shire to court as he cannot live on his land in the vehicle. Credit: ABC NEWS (Australia) / Dailymotion
However, the tranquillity was short-lived.
Despite his intentions to build a shed and install a septic tank on the property, Reinhold and his friend were informed by the shire that their living arrangement was not permissible.
The local council's stance was clear: the land was not a caravan park, and therefore, the bus could not be used as a residence.
‘Why would we stay at the caravan park when we own the land?’ Reinhold said.
‘The bus is fully equipped and self-contained, it has just got out of hand.’
Reinhold claimed that in the past 12 months, several authorities had been trying to ‘rattle and intimidate’ him in his property.
The situation escalated when Reinhold received a summons to appear in criminal court, charged with the offence of camping outside of a caravan park or camping ground.
‘They are using barristers and solicitors to get this old bloke off his land. It is really over the top, it is absolutely and utterly ridiculous,’ he said.
‘There is a housing crisis.’
The Shire of West Arthur's suggestion that Reinhold's relocation to the Darkan Caravan Park, which they manage, was met with practical concerns.
The park's policy allows guests to stay for a maximum of 28 consecutive days within a three-month period.
Under the Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds Regulations 1997, local governments in Western Australia do have the authority to grant approvals for individuals to camp on their own land for up to three months, with the possibility of an extension up to 12 months if health and safety requirements are met and the Minister for Local Government approves.
Similarly, in New South Wales, proposed reforms from the new government could impose new restrictions on Australians living in caravans on private property.
This meant needing to gain council approval for caravans exceeding 20 sqm or connected to utilities for over six months.
‘Applications can only be approved if important health and safety requirements outlined in the regulations have been met,’ the spokesperson for the WA government said.
‘Generally, the Minister for Local Government will only approve an application if the local government has advised that it is satisfied that health and safety requirements have been met.’
‘Due to privacy considerations, we are unable to provide comment on whether a specific person had lodged an application.’
‘However, applications are considered on a case-by-case basis as quickly as possible.’
The state government has acknowledged the housing supply issue and has introduced reforms, such as new exemptions for granny flats, to alleviate the problem.
These reforms aim to cut through the red tape and create more housing opportunities, although they do not extend to caravans or homes on wheels, which are only approved for permanent living within caravan parks.
You can watch ABC News’ coverage below:
Credit: ABC NEWS (Australia) / Dailymotion
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