Drummond Cove park residents facing eviction should get legal advice: Nats candidate and shire president

Residents facing eviction from Drummond Cove Holiday Park should seek legal advice, according to Shire of Chapman Valley president and Nationals candidate for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr. As well, Geraldton’s Labor MLA Lara Dalton says she has spoken with the affected residents and park owners to learn more about how she might be able to help in this “priority” situation, while the relevant department will be working hard to find alternative accommodation. The Geraldton Guardian reported earlier this week that about 30 elderly and at-risk permanent and semi-permanent residents of the caravan park had been sent eviction notices by operators Wajarri Enterprises saying they needed to vacate by August 18. Ms Warr said on Wednesday she was aware of the situation and will keep a “close eye on it”. Wajarri Enterprises told residents they needed to pack up their homes because of infrastructure issues it did not have the funds to fix, prompting it to close the park. Residents have appealed to media, local government and political candidates, calling for urgent assistance, saying they could not afford to move their homes and some were physically unable to do so. Ms Warr said she was “getting across the issue” and had spoken to tenants and Wajarri Enterprises. “It is really unfortunate and housing is an issue here in Geraldton and across many of the regions and WA and it is why the Nationals have got a very comprehensive housing package,” she said. “I have advised, along with the shire, that the residents should seek legal assistance and see what can be done in relation to any current or previous disagreements they may have.” Ms Warr said she understood residents might be struggling financially and she would be continuing to follow up the situation. “As we know it will cost them, and unfortunately they may not have the money to be able to afford that legal representation, so we must keep that in mind, and we certainly will be advocating and speaking to each of the stakeholders around around what’s happening there and keeping a close eye on it,” she said. Ms Dalton said she had been speaking with residents and park owners to learn more about the situation and how she might assist. “This is understandably a very difficult situation for the long-term residents,” she said. “This situation is a priority and we’ll make sure the Department of Communities is working with those impacted to help them find alternative accommodation. “I’ve reached out to the owners of the Drummond Cove Caravan Park to get a better understanding of the reasons for the closure, and they’ve sadly advised that legacy issues to do with ageing and deteriorating infrastructure have left them with no choice but to close the park to work through them. “I understand Wajarri Enterprises wants to work with affected residents wherever possible to assist them when the time comes to vacate.” In a statement issued on Thursday, Wajarri Enterprises CEO Ehsan Haque said “the decision, while difficult, is necessary”. “Whilst we are empathetic and acknowledge the impact to our long-term residents, the difficult decision to close the park has come about due to infrastructure legacy issues that are beyond our control,” he said. Ms Dalton encourages residents who are unsure of their options to reach out to Consumer Protection on 1300 30 40 54 or consumer@demirs.wa.gov.au for advice.