Angela’s Story
It had been a dream for many years, to live in a tiny house. I have always appreciated the sustainable and minimalist lifestyle that it offers. It is an intentional way of living; a beautiful foundation on which to raise my children. In 2022, this dream was actualised as an opportunity to finance a tiny home presented itself. This felt like particularly ideal timing, as our rental home was soon to be sold by auction and I was well aware of the current housing climate. Given the large and growing number of those struggling to secure rentals and facing displacement, a tiny home offered a solution - a stable, secure space to call our own.
I collaborated with a dream builder to bring this vision to life and the final piece of the puzzle was to source land that my children and I could call home. Through a friend, I was connected with a beautiful land owner, Jacqueline, who lives on 33 acres of rural land in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. We were offered a small parcel of paradise at the back of the property, peaceful and quiet, surrounded by wallabies and birdlife. With solar power, a compost toilet, rainwater tanks, and gas heating, our transition to off-grid living was seamless. We fell in love with the land and those residing on it.
Yet, in this idyllic arrangement, one challenge emerged: our local council. Neighbour complaints triggered ongoing scrutiny, with a series of enforcement and eviction notices. Council officers arrived unannounced, sometimes accompanied by warrants, police, and locksmiths. Over the past two and a half years, this ongoing intrusion has disrupted the peace we once found here.
I have recently been issued with a temporary home permit, which allows us to live on the land for 18 months, before we must relocate. While this reprieve provides temporary relief, it also comes with immense challenges. Relocating a tiny home is no small feat. Towing the house, deck, and water tank, preparing a new pad with drainage and footings, reconnecting utilities like solar and water, rebuilding sheds, decks, garden beds, and fencing—each task demands time, effort, and significant financial resources. The prospect of repeating this process every 18 months is disheartening. And I question the logic as to why.
Despite this, I am committed to cherishing our time here. We care for this land with love and respect, cultivating a deep connection to its rhythms and beauty. Living this way has not only strengthened my bond with nature but also deepened my sense of community and gratitude. Tiny living is no longer just a choice; it’s a part of who I am. It has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the art of finding joy in simplicity. No matter where our home may go, I will carry these lessons with me always.