Park residents demand fair go

People in residential parks at Bendigo, Werribee and Rosebud have similar stories to tell. In all cases, the majority of those affected are seniors.

Owner of the Wantirna site and the adjoining property, developer Andrew Yu of the Longriver Group, plans to build 294 medium density townhouses on the land.

Residents, who have until January 2018 to move out, have mobilised, forming the Wantirna Residents Action Group and are demanding a fair go.

Peter Gray, who with Barry Bedwell, Bob Smillie and Pat Whitelaw from the action group committee, said the new owner had done everything legally and in line with the Tenancy Act.

“We realise the private owner can close the park without having to pay compensation,” Mr Gray said.

“But it’s morally wrong and unjust, as most people don’t have anywhere to go, and they cannot afford the huge cost of transporting their homes.

“We want the owner and all levels of government to know this is not an old factory site about to be redeveloped – it is a living, breathing space with more than 200 Knox residents’ livelihoods at stake.”

Homelessness support agency UnitingCare Harrison is assisting residents to find new housing and has the use of an office on the Wantirna site.

Some residents have already arranged relocations with the agency’s assistance.

Mr Gray said residents forced to leave their homes were demanding compensation, including permanent residents who own caravans with fixed solid annexes.

“This should be based on their homes’ market value before the developer made them worthless,” he said.

“Residents shouldn’t have to pay costs for bulldozing, removing or relocating units, and those choosing to sell need support from a fair and reliable real estate firm.

“Some residents were sold units shortly before the closure was announced, and we are demanding legal support for those people.”

The Longriver Group declined to answer The Senior’s questions.

Member for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling said the challenge for residents was that the matter involves the sale of a privately-owned facility to another private operator.

“The park had operated as a going concern – with the way house prices have risen here, land owners have decided to sell,” Mr Wakeling said.

“These parks are unique settings. They are often home to people with disabilities or from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

“Vulnerable people are facing a housing crisis and it’s imperative the government assist with the crisis.

“It’s important they keep connected with their community, but we’re not awash with alternatives.”

In parliament in March, Mr Wakeling requested that Housing Minister Martin Foley join him to meet with the residents. He says Mr Foley is yet to respond.

MLC for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane, wrote to the owner/developer earlier this year requesting he agree to a number of the resident action group demands.

Mr Leane also suggested some financial assistance for the residents would be a sign of goodwill, which “could be funded from the profit that will be made from a development of close to 300 townhouses.”

“The residents have attempted to sit down with the developer and collectively bargain a desirable outcome,” he said. “So far the developer has refused to sit across the table with the affected residents.”

Knox City councillor Peter Lockwood said the council was doing as much as possible for the residents and working with homelessness support agency UnitingCare Harrison.

“The residents have done a great job –they’re in a diabolical situation, but they won’t rest until they’ve got the best possible outcome,” he said.

AOIFE Cooke from Housing for the Aged Action Group says the safeguards for housing for older people on lower incomes are inadequate.

“With so much pressure on public and social housing, (the Wantirna) residents have few options,” she said.

“Those owning homes are ineligible for public housing because they fail the means test.

“Owners would incur significant costs to remove their homes. No nearby land is available for relocation and because of park closures, there is a flood of units on the market and their value has diminished.

“Their assets now will cost them money as they are required to pay for relocation or demolition.”

Ms Cooke said a lack of security of tenure for people living in residential parks needs to be addressed.

“Residential parks provide an affordable option, but with no security of tenure they cannot make long-term plans.

“It’s often assumed these types of places are transitory. They are not. People living there have few, if any, other options.”

Ms Cooke said the recent Parliamentary Inquiry report into the retirement housing sector did not deal comprehensively with residential parks, prompting the action group to call for a separate inquiry into this area.