BALLAN Caravan Park residents are celebrating a state government decision to withdraw an eviction notice, days before the mainly elderly tenants were to set to lose their homes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In January, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), decided to close the Ballan Caledonian Caravan park, giving the low-income residents until July 25 to find alternative accommodation.
Some of the tenants have been living in the park for nearly 10 years.
Yesterday, tears and champagne flowed as the residents struggled to believe the news.
Helen Baker, 62, said she was happy because the uncertainty was destroying her health.
“It is good to know we won’t lose our homes in the middle of winter,” Ms Baker said.
The DSE, which manages the land for the state government, was evicting the tenants because the caravan park did not comply with its permanent land-use policy.
For the past six months, The Courier has been running a campaign to have the eviction notice overturned.
Late yesterday the government reached an agreement with law firm Clayton Utz, which was representing the residents on a pro bono basis.
The residents also dismissed their case, which was to be heard in the Supreme Court in August, against the Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith and his department over what they claimed were breaches of their human rights.
A partner in Clayton Utz’s litigation and dispute resolution group, Kym Fraser, said the DSE had agreed to withdraw the notices to vacate.
DSE representatives, he said, would meet with the residents within the next two months to discuss the park’s future management.
“We are looking forward to what is hopefully a fruitful discussion with the department to reach a permanent solution whereby the residents future at the park is secure,” Mr Fraser said.
Local businessman Paul Tatchell, who is part of a Ballan group that submitted a financial plan to the DSE for low-cost environmental homes at the park, said it was a step forward.
“We have won the battle but not the war,” Mr Tatchell said.
“Questions still remain about the future of the park and all DSE-run caravan parks.
“We will continue to negotiate with the DSE to make sure the (eviction notice) is not re-issued.”
Mr Tatchell said his group, which includes Ballan Community Health Assistance manager Katie Talty, were still keen to build the eco-village.
Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin said he hoped the eco-village plan could now be implemented.
A government spokesperson said the residents and DSE had agreed that court proceedings will be dismissed and notices to vacate will be withdrawn.
“Part of the settlement is that DSE will meet the residents for further discussions,” she said.