Pioneering Western Australia’s First Tiny Home Community
- Apr 21
- 2 min read
Location and Date: Boyanup Townsite, Shire of Capel, 2026
Services Engaged: Town Planning
The Project Brief:
Harley Dykstra has secured Development Approval for what is believed to be the first Tiny Home Community in Western Australia.
The project has been in progress for over two years, including a detailed site selection process across the South West. Over the past twelve months, Harley Dykstra worked closely with the landowners, Shire of Capel and servicing agencies to progress the proposal through to approval.
The approved development will deliver 40 permanent Tiny Home sites within the Boyanup townsite, managed by the landowners in a caretaker capacity. It also includes communal gardens, open space and shared facilities to support a connected community environment.
Harley Dykstra's Involvement:
As a first-of-its-kind proposal in WA, the approval process required multiple iterations and close collaboration with the Shire of Capel to work through applicable planning legislation and frameworks.
Harley Dykstra supported the Client throughout, ensuring the proposal was appropriately structured and positioned for assessment by Local Government and referral agencies.
Site Investigation and Concept Development:
Multiple sites across the South West were assessed to determine suitability for the Tiny Home Community vision.
Early-stage work focused on site constraints, servicing requirements and planning controls to identify a location capable of supporting permanent residential use. The concept was refined over time in consultation with the Client and landowners to align with planning requirements.
Navigating the Planning Framework:
The Tiny Home sector is growing across Australia, but planning pathways for permanent communities remain limited. While typically delivered as individual dwellings or tourism accommodation, there is little legislative guidance for larger developments. Guided by general direction from the Western Australian Planning Commission, a collaborative approach with Local Government and agencies enabled a robust Development Application that secured conditional approval.
Consultant Coordination and Application Preparation:
Ongoing engagement with Local Government and service agencies supported the application’s progress, with Harley Dykstra delivering a comprehensive Development Application aligned to the planning framework and tailored to the proposal’s unique considerations.
Progress to Date:
This approval marks a significant step in delivering alternative permanent housing solutions in Western Australia. As housing affordability remains a key challenge, the project demonstrates how innovative housing models can complement traditional subdivision and grouped development approaches.
