Australia has witnessed widespread destruction of property, and tragically of life, as a result of natural events such as flooding, storm damage, cyclones or fire.
The task of rebuilding can be heartbreaking and made more difficult for those who are doing it for the second or third time.
The following alternative will not appeal to everyone but it some readers might find it appealing.
The one asset that generally retains its value after a natural disaster is the land. An alternative to rebuilding is to sell the land, add insurance payouts where applicable and to use the funds to purchase a motorhome, fifth wheeler or caravan.
Alternatively retain the land and set up a power pole (the same or similar to those used by caravan parks) and maintain a water connection. Garbage services will still be available and dump points can be used to dispose of waste.
One of the great benefits of a mobile home is that it can be moved away from any impending weather threat and placed in an area of safety.
Admittedly the available living space is much less than a conventional house but much easier to maintain and clean.
The mobile home means you have the option to travel or remain in your local community.
In my travels I have met many people who have sold and or rented their house and are using their mobile home as permanent accommodation. Those who have done this are full of praise for the freedom and more flexible lifestyle that the mobile accommodation provides.
If you live in a mobile home then I would welcome your comments on the pros and cons.
7 replies on “An Alternative to Rebuilding After Flooding, Fire or Cyclone Damage”
The option of living in a caravan or a mobile home on your own land in disaster prone areas, is one that should be made available to people living in such areas. Being able to leave quickly and safely with your family,pets and possessions would appeal to many.
However,the biggest obstacle to making this happen would be local government. In days gone by, one used to be able to reside in a caravan on your own block (usually on acreage) as long as you were connected to services. Later came the requirement that such accommodation would only be permissible whilst you were building.
Correct me if I’m wrong ….. these days, I don’t think anyone is allowed to live in “temporary” or “mobile” accommodation on a permanent basis (on your your own small block) in any Australian municipality. Not only would councils object to this on “health and safety” grounds, they would object to the fact that they would lose revenue (rates) on properties that previously had a house on it.
Food for thought.
Re your second option:- I very much doubt that you would get Council approval to live in a motorhome on a residential block of land on a long term basis.
Hi,
I am a builder of relocatable mobile homes and I would say there are more pros to having a mobile home. We have recently also had flooding in Victoria and I successfully moved relocatable homes out of the caravan parks and stored them on dry ground until the threat of water had passed. They are easily moved by crane, then trucked to a safe site, all connections are capped and then when shifted back it is like you never left.
If anyone is interested in discussing mobile home options or have questions in general please feel free to call me on mobile, 0419802229 or alternatively go to my website pbrhomes.com.au to see how it is done. There is an email link there as well.
Regards
Patrick Pellegrino
Managing Director
PBR Constructions Pty Ltd
we have been living in our bus/motorhome for over 10years 5 of these we spent in coonamble manageing a caravan park and we will continue to live and travel like this for as long as we are able, we had solar put on the bus so we dont have the problem in some places where the parks are to small for us(bus and trailer =60ft) the only thing we are finding is that alot of parks are slowly becoming cabin parks instead of caravan parks and the poor person in caravan gets put down the back in the corner out of the way. bring back the plain good old caravan park where we only pay for the powered site or unpowered site not all the extras that they seem to have now.
John, this is the most sensible suggestion I’ve heard from anyone over the last few weeks.
We sold house & land, and disposed, by various means, of 35 years of accumulated ‘stuff’ (most of which I can no longer remember!) two-and-a-half years ago, had our 5th-wheeler built to our design in Brisbane, and have never looked back. We’ve even embarked on a new career: house-sitting on rural and semi-rural properties, where we get free rent, power and water in return for caring for the owners’ pets.
Then, of course, one can take up camp hosting with the National Parks, or find paid employment almost anywhere.
Life ‘on the road’ is great!
1 some people will like it depends on the councils
2 Sell the land buy a unit rent it out money for travel take of in the van or
motor home Cheers
can no longer remember!) two-and-a-half years ago, had our 5th-wheeler built to our design in Brisbane, and have never looked back.it is done. There is an email link there as well.