The NSW Government has begun a comprehensive review of the planning and approvals processes for caravan parks, camping grounds, manufactured home estates and moveable dwellings. 

The proposed changes by the NSW Department of Planning are to:  

• Prohibiting new long-term accommodation on flood prone land (recommendation of 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry), 

• Improvements to fire safety requirements for new or existing parks, 

• New short-term site stay limits increased to 180 days for caravans and 90 days for camping, and  

• New size and location limits for caravans and tents outside caravan parks. 

The last major changes were made in 1993.  

Phase 1 of the review is now on exhibition. Phase 2, to be carried out in 2024, will examine approval pathways and definitions and will involve more substantial changes to both planning and local government regulation. 

The Caravan & Camping, Manufactured Home Builders and the Land Lease Industry Association of NSW has been advocating for reforms with its submission in response to the 2015 Discussion Paper – Improving the Regulation of Manufactured Homes, Caravan Parks, Manufactured Home Estates & Camping Grounds and subsequent lobbying of Governments. 

"The industry welcomes the progress that the NSW Government is making on the review and is pleased reforms are now moving forward,” Bob Browne, the association's General Counsel and Company Secretary, said. 

"Hopefully, this reform process which the industry has been advocating will create opportunities for new developments, clarify and provide consistency in zoning, streamline approvals and remove unnecessary regulatory burdens." 

The association is currently reviewing the phase 1 proposals and will be working with its member businesses on development of an industry submission to the NSW Government due on the 15 December. 

Land lease communities – why we are excited on villages.com.au