The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales ruled that Josh Hines and Manu Bon cannot continue living in a motorhome on a property in Coolagolite without the required development consent. Property owner Gordon Kelly allowed the couple to place the motorhome on his land, zoned for primary production, in 2023; after a public complaint, Bega Valley Shire Council said last year the structure was used as permanent housing without approval. The court found the motorhome could legally fall under the definition of a caravan even if it resembles a regular house, but that this status does not bypass NSW land-use legislation; the council could not lawfully require demolition of the caravan because it is not a building. Under NSW law, one caravan can be placed on a property without council approval if it is associated with an occupied house, used by members of the household, and the land already has an approved main dwelling.
