Clash of Rights – Park Owners, Residents Caught in Legal Mess

The distress and anger of Beauty Point resident Philip J. Tattersall, articulated in his letter below regarding the ongoing crisis at the Tourist Park, highlight a situation that has now drawn high-level political attention.

The following media releases, issued today, 17 October 2025, provide immediate responses to the unfolding legal and legislative battle.

Letter from Philip J Tattersall, Beauty Point 7270, 6 October 2025

No wonder the residents at the Beauty Point Tourist Park are confused, stressed and worried.

Folks at the Park bought their dwellings in good faith over a period of many years in the expectation they were permanent residents, owning their dwellings and paying a fortnightly site fee as they did not own the site upon which their dwellings sat.

In recent years new ownership has introduced at least 2 sets of ‘rules’ which none of the residents had signed, thus bringing into question the legal status of these unilaterally imposed documents.

For its part the West Tamar Council suddenly ‘out of the blue ‘decided to take an interest in the unfolding drama at the Park and introduced a notice and stated that “Council’s role is to ensure that the park — over time — moves back into compliance with the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act,”.

Terminally ill caravan park resident allowed to list her home for sale, Supreme Court rules

Why was this not advised to the residents and Park owners some years ago?

Yes, dear reader, all along planning matters were within West Tamar Council’s jurisdiction!

In short Council failed to foresee certain matters of a most serious and tragic nature.

What a mess this is, and the poor residents are the victims, one is embarrassed to call themselves a Tasmanian!

Our governments, local and state should hang their heads in shame as should the owners and managers of the Park. A coalition of bodies all trying to cover their tracks in this web of deceit and lies – shameful and un-Australian.

So where is our Premier who promised during the election to step in?

I rest my case.

Media release – Guy Barnett MHA, Attorney-General, 17 October 2025

Taking action on Beauty Point Caravan Park

Tasmanian Attorney-General, Guy Barnett, has intervened in the Supreme Court appeal from Lowe v Beauty Point (Tas) Pty Ltd and Beauty Point Trading Pty Ltd [2025].

Under section 16(1)(a) of the Crown Proceedings Act 1993, the Attorney-General, on behalf of the Crown, has the right to intervene in proceedings ‘in which the interpretation or validity of any law of the State or the Commonwealth is in question’.

“The existing rights of long-term residents in caravan parks is a critically important issue for many Tasmanians,” the Attorney said.

Intervening in this matter will allow the Attorney-General to make submissions to the Supreme Court on the operation of section 12 of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, which impacts on the existing residential use rights at the Beauty Point Tourist Park.

The park owners hold a different position and are appealing.

“The Government has a clear legislative commitment to ensuring that the rights of long-term caravan park residents are protected,” the Attorney-General said.

“We are currently drafting legislation in accordance with our election commitment. This commitment and the associated timeframes are not affected by this intervention.

“The Lowe v Beauty Point matter however raises important questions in relation to the interpretation of existing rights.

“It is important that existing laws are clarified so that caravan park owners and other authorities can understand and comply with those laws.”

Media release – Cecily Rosol MHA, Greens Member for Bass, 17 October 2025

Beauty Point Caravan Park Residents Need Clarity From AG

The Attorney-General must immediately provide Beauty Point Caravan Park residents more information about his decision to intervene in the Supreme Court case that’s currently underway.

Residents of the Beauty Point Caravan Park have been living under constant threat of eviction for well over a year. Hearing the government is intervening in an active court case is a huge deal for them, but the people I’ve spoken to this morning have no idea what the Attorney-General is planning on arguing to the court or how it might affect the case.

It’s disappointing to see this announcement was made with no communication to the residents at Beauty Point.

These are people that have already been through so much and are now left wondering how this new development might affect them. My thoughts are particularly with resident John Lowe, whose personal situation is at the centre of this case.

The lack of clarity over this intervention is made all the more difficult by the fact we still have no timeline for when the government will bring in the new legislation they have promised to address this issue – let alone an idea of what their proposed laws will do. It’s crucial that we see these laws made a priority, and for them to be written to ensure proper protection for permanent caravan park residents.

For well over a year the Greens have been speaking up for Beauty Point Caravan Park residents and pushing the government to protect their rights.

We’ve written letters on their behalf, run a petition, spoken directly with the Minister, raised the matter in Parliament and advocated through the media. We will continue to do everything we can on behalf of these residents and again urge the government to make sure they do the right thing and deliver strong legal protections.

Media release – Janie Finlay MHA, Deputy Labor Leader, Member for Bass, 17 October 2025

Caravan residents deserve certainty

Labor is calling on the Liberal-Green Government to fast-track legislation to regulate the residential use of caravan parks.

Tasmania is the only state in Australia without this regulation, resulting in ongoing uncertainty and anxiety for long-term residents, park owners and operators.

While the Liberal-Green Government has committed to introducing legislation within 200 days, given their track record they can’t be trusted to complete this critical work in a timely manner.

The situation at Beauty Point has been traumatising residents for years and it has become critical. But just like everything this Government does, any action only seems to happen after it’s way too late

Residents shouldn’t have to wait any longer for certainty and the Liberal-Green Government must act now.

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