Kirra park residents find ally in Minister
PERMANENT residents at a Gold Coast tourist park “can’t be moved on” unless an agreement or court order is made, warns Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni.
His comments come after Gold Coast City Council told 73 permanent residents at Kirra Beach Tourist Park – some of whom have been there nearly 40 years – they have 10 years to get out.
But Mr de Brenni said the “ball is in the residents’ court” when it came to the park’s future.
“Those residents of the park who have bought their own manufactured homes, and who occupy a site under a site agreement, can’t be moved on by the park unless they agree to move or are given an order to leave through the courts,” he said.
“We’ve made sure legislation would require the council to make compensation to residents of manufactured homes who have to move, and the courts can take into account any reasonable consideration when determining the amount of compensation to be paid.”
It is understood the council wants to make the park shortterm accommodation only for tourists and is planning to develop the sites.
Despite public outcry at the decision, the council is refusing to budge on the controversial eviction plan.
Mr de Brenni said he would be “happy” for his staff to meet with council and residents.
“... if people are moved on, and the arrangement between the state and local government ends, funds put into the park by the Queensland Government will come back to the Queensland Government,’’ he said. “I will ensure that those funds will be earmarked to assist low-income residents of Kirra Beach Tourist Park to find safe, secure and affordable accommodation.”
WE’VE MADE SURE LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE COMPENSATION TO RESIDENTS OF MANUFACTURED HOMES WHO HAVE TO MOVE, AND THE COURTS CAN TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY REASONABLE CONSIDERATION WHEN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION TO BE PAID MINISTER MICK DE BRENNI