Shipping container policy

Lachlan Shire Council’s draft Shipping Container Policy is on public exhibition from November 18, 2020 until January 13, 2021.

The draft policy will guide Council on the placement, use and visual appearance of shipping containers on private property. This will enable Council to regulate the placement of containers and increase community pride in towns, villages and rural areas of the Shire.

The use of shipping containers has been a good option for households and builders within the Lachlan Shire over recent years. Shipping containers are often a cheaper and easier way of providing on-site storage and can be used on a temporary basis.

The NSW Land and Environment Court has confirmed that a shipping container is a “building” which requires a development approval and, in some cases, a construction certificate. A container may, under some circumstances, also be classified as a “temporary structure”.

There is currently a lack of public awareness around approval requirements for shipping containers and, with more of them being installed around the Shire, it is difficult for Council officers to provide advice and approval requirements.

The Policy will allow Council to deal more effectively with the increasing number of enquiries about the use of shipping containers.