Kim Berry is praying she doesn’t end up homeless in a few months.
Key Points:
- Low-income tenants at a NSW Central Coast caravan park must leave by November
- Many fear they will become homeless due to a shortage of affordable housing
- Neighbors say it’s distressing that part of the park has already become a demolition site
The 54-year-old, along with other low-income tenants at a caravan park on the NSW Central Coast, will have their leases terminated in November as a lifestyle village is built in your place
“It’s heartbreaking to see the despair on people’s faces,” Ms Berry said.
“I’ve seen it affect people mentally. People who didn’t have anxiety and depression now do.”
In the suburb of Wadalba, Homeland Park has been a savior for many.
The caravans and cabins, with rent below market prices, mainly accommodate people over 50 years of age.
Wadalba caravan park is next to much more modern developments. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
Some live with medical conditions and disabilities.
But it will soon blend in with the modern homes around it as the site is transformed into an affordable land rental community.
With approval granted in 2019, residents have known about the plans for around five years, but say they cannot afford to buy one of the prefab homes.
“It was always in the back of my mind that the day was coming,” Ms Berry said.
He argued that governments and other agencies should have helped residents with alternative housing during that time.
Parts of empty caravans and their contents are already being dismantled and dumped. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
Neighbors worried about the demolition
Parts of the park are already being demolished.
Ms Berry said having it around you all the time “gets to you”.
“Every day, hammer bang, hammer bang — our time is drawing near and we’re scrambling to find places to go,” he said.
Ms Berry added that she was trapped in her home for a couple of hours last week while workers from another company removed asbestos nearby.
Bill Dewdney says he has heart disease and a form of leukemia. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
Bill Dewdney had hoped to spend the rest of his life at the caravan park but now said his nerves were “fired” by the demolition work around him.
“They don’t seem to realize the stress that has been caused,” Dewdney said.
The 78-year-old, who has health problems, said getting into the private rental market on his pension was competitive and the social housing waiting list was long.
“I have nowhere to go,” said Mr. Dewdney.
“If I don’t get a place to live by the time of the eviction, I’ll be sleeping in my car.”
Paul Alfonso says he has to live near the local amputee clinic. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
For resident Paul Alfonso, it was important that he stay close to his medical disability support.
“It’s a big upheaval to get up and move somewhere else,” the 73-year-old said.
Staged development changes
Central Coast Council said approval of the development application (DA) included conditions for compliance with the Social Impact Assessment and Transition Management Plan.
But the owners, Orr Investment Group (OIG), told residents in a letter that initial plans for the development to happen in stages will no longer happen “due to the conditions of the DA and the time that has passed since our original planning and consultation”.
Kim Berry shows documents she has collected about the redevelopment plans. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
It also included contact details for a range of other local lettings as well as social housing.
“This is a big transition for you, especially our long-term residents,” the letter said.
“If we can help you with the transition, particularly in the form of a rental reference or a three-week notice waiver, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
Bill Dewdney makes a note on how to contact social housing. (ABC Central Coast: Sophie Wainwright)
Injured working teenager
Last Saturday, a teenager working on site for an outside contractor was taken to hospital after being injured by a crane.
SafeWork NSW is investigating.
An OIG spokesman said the group was “dismayed” by the workplace incident, but “satisfied” the worker “did not suffer life-threatening injuries.”