The largest attendance at a Bega Valley Shire Council meeting in years.
An estimated 60 people packed into the chamber yesterday afternoon to listen to several presentations in support of a call for a moratorium on tiny home evictions in the shire.
The public forum part of the meeting ran for over two hours, which is highly unusual. This delayed the start of the main meeting by around 40 minutes.
One of the speakers was Manu Bohns’, who has been living in a tiny with his partner Joshua Heins at Coolagolite for the past two years and is currently subject to a council eviction order.
He told the meeting…this isn’t just about his own situation.
“I’m here because I understand just how much broader just Josh and I this issue is,” he said.
“This is for this community, and I choose to set an example nationwide.
“I’m not here to blame the council, the state or anyone. I’m here because this issue is bigger than me. It’s about all of us.”
Mr Bohns’ also called on councillors to honour their pre-election promises to address the housing crisis in the district.
He read out several quotes made by councillors including “You are doing the best to make sure people have a place to live safely and we should contact council if there is any way we can point out pathways to get second dwellings approved or find more flexible ways for bureaucratic ways, I’m sure the staff would be delighted to help.”
“Those are words said by some of you councillors in your campaign and after being elected ok. Those are words of your intentions that might have put you where you are sitting today.”
One councillor, Helen O’Neill offered an olive branch of sorts for creating an easier pathway for tiny homes on wheels in the Bega Valley.
Councillor O’Neill pointed out the work council had been doing on the issue in recent times and asked Mr Heins if he was willing to contribute to the efforts.
“Are you prepared to work with councillors as we work through this over the next month or two to work through the arcane provisions of 30-year-old legislation on planning?” she asked.
“Absolutely Councillor O’Neill. I think it would be a pleasure to work constructively with council,” he replied.
