I write as a long-term resident of the village of Beauty Point. This past year I have grown very concerned about the treatment of the residents at the nearby Beauty Point Tourist Park.
The park has been home to many permanent residents over many years. The residents pay a site fee on fortnightly basis. Many of the residents are in their senior years and have enjoyed the support of numerous owner-managers during that time. Some are returned Service people one other a nurse who served in New Guinea helping the poor and suffering. many others have similar stories to tell.
As time has gone on the residents have formed their community of attachment as well as developed their abodes to a high standard, beyond that of ‘shack standard’ (they own their buildings and contents) with the tacit approval of various managers of the business over time.
The little community has flourished up until recent times when new management has taken upon itself to undertake certain changes that have caused worry and concern among the residents. My understanding is that the residents appealed to current management for a mediation to have their concerns heard, but to no avail.
There have been ongoing disputes over a number of issues including, building maintenance, visitor attendance, and the recent conflicts where residents were not allowed to hold a small ANZAC celebration. In these cases, management has applied (as I understand it) black-letter rules.
Recently the management has introduced a new agreement and associated rules, which has placed the residents in a situation of further worry.
A number of residents have been issued with eviction notices, all of whom are aged and one in particular who is quite frail, suffering hospitalisation this past few weeks. The affected residents have been directed to vacate their site by a due date. One resident believed that she has been served with eviction because she has spoken out about the treatment by management.
These evictees (and others who may also be forced out) will have nowhere to go and will be in a far worse situation as they will (as I understand) be forced to foot the bill for site clearance.
Clearly this is a serious situation. We can’t have elderly folks who have contributed to our society and who have lived a peaceful and harmonious existence at the Park treated this way.
Soon a number of residents will be homeless. I can put you in touch with 3 residents who have been issued with eviction notices and who would be prepared to talk to a reporter re their story.
The recent moves by the Government to amend the Tenants Act in my view does not go far enough to fully protect residents such as those at the Beauty Point Tourist Park.
I have attached a recent leaflet produced by the Park residents’ association.
– Dr Philip J Tattersall, Beauty Point
