The Australian dream often depicts a wonderful home to be shared with your family and loved ones.

However, this has been a far-fetched dream for some, especially seniors.

The tranquillity of coastal living is being disrupted for over 130 residents of caravan parks along the NSW north coast as they face the unsettling prospect of homelessness.

This decision came after a sudden crackdown on casual lease agreements by the Clarence Valley Council.

The crackdown reportedly affected holiday van residents in Iluka, Minnie Water, Brooms Head, and Wooli.

The council's decision to terminate leases has sent shockwaves through these communities and left residents scrambling for alternatives in a market where affordable housing has been scarce.

Many Aussies now face the threat of homelessness after being evicted from their homes. Image Credit: Pexels/Andras Stefuca

Military veteran Roger House once invested his life savings into a holiday van at Minnie Water Holiday Park.

However, he was one of the many residents affected by the crackdown.

Mr House received a notice last 15 March that he only had 120 days to vacate his home.

With rental prices continuously soaring, he's faced with the grim reality of not being able to afford a new place to live.

'I'll be homeless. I've got no family close by where I can go and live. What am I going to do, pitch a tent?' he lamented.

His neighbour, pensioner Brian Chevalley, has been a fixture at Minnie Water Holiday Park for over four decades.

With his lease also terminated, he also faces the same uncertainty.

'I've really got nowhere else to go,' he said. 'To rent something in town, just on the pension, it's impossible.'

The issue at hand stemmed from two different types of leases that govern caravan park tenancies.

Gary Martin, the CEO of Affiliated Residential Park Residents Association, explained the two types of laws that govern these leases.

First, there's the Residential Land Lease Communities Act, which allows for permanent residency.

On the other hand, the Holiday Parks Act was intended for temporary stays of up to 180 days.

Yet, the lines between these two have become increasingly blurred, with many residents living permanently in supposedly holiday accommodations.

Clarence Valley Council's General Manager, Laura Black, stated that the termination of leases was a response to the growing demand from tourists for these sites.

'These sites are on public land, and it's important that all visitors to the holiday parks have the same opportunity to use these sites when holidaying with their families and friends,' Ms Black said.

The council offered to extend leases by up to a year on a case-by-case basis.

However, this provided little solace to residents who have already made these parks their homes.

Andrea and Rod Stone, who split their time between the Iluka Riverside Caravan Park and couch surfing, also face the same loss of their investment.

'The stress amongst people here is terrible. I can't sleep, I'm so distressed,' Ms Stone shared.

The couple, like many others, used their retirement savings to buy into the park and could now lose their property.

The council has pledged to work with residents who have nowhere else to go.

'The intention of this is not to make people homeless,' Ms Black emphasised.

However, the reality for many could be a future filled with uncertainty and fear of displacement.

This situation raised a critical question for senior Australians: Is your home at risk, too?

For those living in similar arrangements, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared for any changes that may come.

Key Takeaways

• More than 130 casual lease agreements at holiday parks on the NSW north coast have been terminated, affecting residents in Iluka, Minnie Water, Brooms Head, and Wooli.
• Clarence Valley Council offered a one-year lease extension on a case-by-case basis but acknowledged that some residents may face homelessness.
• Confusion between residential and holiday leases has led to people becoming 'permanent residents by stealth' at holiday parks.
• The council aimed to address 'legacy issues' and ensure compliance while acknowledging the stress this has caused among residents.

How has this issue affected you or your loved ones? What steps are you taking to secure your housing future? Your experiences can help inform and support others in our community, so please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

 

[marni]

we are facing a homeless crisis are we not, I lived in a caravan with my husband and to rowdy young boys because of finances, what struck me at the time was the network of friendship within the park, my boys got to play with other kids and were safe as were the other kids as we were always looking out the windows checking on the kids and not just your own, people kept an eye on the elderly too, it really was a village where everyone spoke to each other and helped those in need, I think there should be long termers in the parks not being made to move on, it would help the young ones save towards a place of their own but it would sure help people like it used to.

There are many leisure villages that do just this. Unfortunately for the young they are over 55 villages, on a land lease basis with leases that can be life long. It pays to read the lease