Eviction looms as shocking offers made to residents at local caravan park
- Replies 7
A quiet community known for its close-knit feel faces upheaval as residents prepare for significant changes following the sale of their long-time living space.
What has served as a stable home for many is now at risk, leaving several individuals uncertain about their future as new ownership prepares to take over.
The buyers and sellers are offering ex gratia payments to the residents, some of whom have called Rose Gardens Carvan Park home for decades.
While a gesture of goodwill, these payments are not legally required and are capped at a combined value of up to $25,000.
However, the residents argue that this sum falls short of covering the true relocation costs and does not compensate for the significant financial losses they will incur.
Moving is not just a logistical nightmare for many seniors but an emotional ordeal.
The park homes, ranging from simple caravans with annexes to multi-bedroom structures, represent more than just physical dwellings; they are repositories of memories and the epicenter of a close-knit community.
The prospect of dismantling and moving these homes is daunting, with some residents like Janet Nicholson facing the harsh reality that the ex-gratia payment won't even cover a fraction of the removal costs.
Nicholson, who moved to the park for its serene environment and cleaner air, is now confronted with the possibility of homelessness.
'I would like to get a bit more in the ex gratia payment, so I can at least set up something [elsewhere],' she lamented.
And also, I need to be able to walk away without getting sued and to leave this unit vacant.
At 76, the physical and financial burden of relocating her home is overwhelming, and the ex-gratia offer does little to ease her predicament.
The situation is equally dire for Reg Hoyling and his partner, Eva Johnson, who sought refuge in the coastal park following Hoyling's cancer diagnosis.
The dream of living out his days by the sea is shattered as the couple grapples with the astronomical costs of moving their two-bedroom unit and the scarcity of alternative long-stay caravan park options.
'I always wanted to live on the coast,' he said.
'I thought, "beautiful, that's where I'll stay until I turn me toes up".'
The residents' plight highlights a broader issue within the caravan park industry, where long-stay tenants often find themselves at a disadvantage in vacant possession sales.
The current regulations favor park owners, leaving residents like Robin Bollard, who has lived at Rose Gardens for 25 years, feeling overlooked and undervalued.
'They never did inform us; we found out by accident,' she said.
'We've been trying to talk to the council and trying to talk to both the buyer and the seller, but they are all very silent because it's a business transaction.'
'We are caught in the middle of it all with nowhere to go.'
The community's call for a review of the rules is a plea for fairness and recognition of their rights as long-term tenants.
They seek better compensation reflecting their financial and emotional investment in their homes.
As the residents brace for the council's decision on the surrender and new lease for the Crown land, they also look to the local government and community service providers for support.
The park operator's proposal to expand long-stay capacity at another site offers hope, but the future remains uncertain.
The story of Rose Gardens Caravan Park starkly reminds us of the vulnerability of senior residents in the face of commercial transactions.
It underscores the need for a more compassionate approach to development that considers the profound impact on the lives of those who have built their homes and communities with love and dedication.
Credit: YouTube
Should there be better rules to protect long-term residents when parks are sold? How can we make sure people aren't left behind when places are redeveloped? Let us know in the comments below.
What has served as a stable home for many is now at risk, leaving several individuals uncertain about their future as new ownership prepares to take over.
The buyers and sellers are offering ex gratia payments to the residents, some of whom have called Rose Gardens Carvan Park home for decades.
While a gesture of goodwill, these payments are not legally required and are capped at a combined value of up to $25,000.
However, the residents argue that this sum falls short of covering the true relocation costs and does not compensate for the significant financial losses they will incur.
Eviction has been faced by Rose Gardens residents, with ex-gratia payments offered to leave their homes. Credit: Facebook
Moving is not just a logistical nightmare for many seniors but an emotional ordeal.
The park homes, ranging from simple caravans with annexes to multi-bedroom structures, represent more than just physical dwellings; they are repositories of memories and the epicenter of a close-knit community.
The prospect of dismantling and moving these homes is daunting, with some residents like Janet Nicholson facing the harsh reality that the ex-gratia payment won't even cover a fraction of the removal costs.
Nicholson, who moved to the park for its serene environment and cleaner air, is now confronted with the possibility of homelessness.
'I would like to get a bit more in the ex gratia payment, so I can at least set up something [elsewhere],' she lamented.
And also, I need to be able to walk away without getting sued and to leave this unit vacant.
At 76, the physical and financial burden of relocating her home is overwhelming, and the ex-gratia offer does little to ease her predicament.
The situation is equally dire for Reg Hoyling and his partner, Eva Johnson, who sought refuge in the coastal park following Hoyling's cancer diagnosis.
The dream of living out his days by the sea is shattered as the couple grapples with the astronomical costs of moving their two-bedroom unit and the scarcity of alternative long-stay caravan park options.
'I always wanted to live on the coast,' he said.
'I thought, "beautiful, that's where I'll stay until I turn me toes up".'
The residents' plight highlights a broader issue within the caravan park industry, where long-stay tenants often find themselves at a disadvantage in vacant possession sales.
The current regulations favor park owners, leaving residents like Robin Bollard, who has lived at Rose Gardens for 25 years, feeling overlooked and undervalued.
'They never did inform us; we found out by accident,' she said.
'We've been trying to talk to the council and trying to talk to both the buyer and the seller, but they are all very silent because it's a business transaction.'
'We are caught in the middle of it all with nowhere to go.'
The community's call for a review of the rules is a plea for fairness and recognition of their rights as long-term tenants.
As the residents brace for the council's decision on the surrender and new lease for the Crown land, they also look to the local government and community service providers for support.
The park operator's proposal to expand long-stay capacity at another site offers hope, but the future remains uncertain.
The story of Rose Gardens Caravan Park starkly reminds us of the vulnerability of senior residents in the face of commercial transactions.
It underscores the need for a more compassionate approach to development that considers the profound impact on the lives of those who have built their homes and communities with love and dedication.
Credit: YouTube
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