The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has denied trying to coerce an elderly resident to move out of the park before the general closure date of July 25.

Last week, 70-year-old Mora Murphy received a letter detailing the DSE’s plan to begin relocation of her home on Monday.

But Ms Murphy said she had neither agreed to the date nor to leave the place for an alternative location, which she said was unsuitable for her needs.

DSE regional director south west region Laurie Dwyer said no date for relocation was confirmed but the department did have an agreement to relocate one of the residents.

Ms Murphy said she had informed the DSE that she would decide on her next move after Easter.

“I had told them three times I will let them know after Easter when and if I decide to move,” Ms Murphy said.

“This is putting me under extreme stress.”

Ms Murphy is the first of the many low-income residents who fear being homeless after the DSE decided to close the park in July.

Some of the residents have been living in the park for nearly 10 years.

The DSE, which manages the land for the state government, is evicting the tenants because the caravan park does not comply with its permanent land-use policy.

Ms Murphy said the only option offered to her was a park 30 kilometres away, which she said would isolate her from friends and carers in Ballan.

This is the second time Ms Murphy would have to leave her home. Three years ago she was forced to pack up her relocatable house and move to her current location after the closure of another caravan park in Ballan.

Ms Murphy said she had been reluctant to leave her home of 14 years but had only just begun to settle down at the caravan park.

“I don’t want to be uprooted again,” Ms Murphy said. “I am scared. I don’t want to move.”