Hard-up camp out

CAMPSITES have begun popping up in northern suburbs as the state’s housing crisis continues to bite.

Eight people have been camping at a Berriedale site for the past two months claiming they cannot find housing.

One of the site’s residents says there are three families camping at the makeshift home.

He says the people living there are mostly unemployed and now the Glenorchy City Council has asked the group to move on, giving them until tomorrow to pack up the site.

POP up campsites have appeared in Berridale, with eight people camping at one site for the past two months after being unable to find housing.

One of the site’s residents, Mick (surname withheld), said there were three families camped at the makeshift home.

He said the people living there were mostly unemployed, but one was working part time.

Mick said the Glenorchy City Council had recently asked the group to move on, giving them until tomorrow to pack up the site.

“We’re homeless. Got nowhere to go,” Mick said.

“Can’t find a house, every house I go for is gone.”

A second site with three tents has also appeared.

The pop up tent city inspired local Roberts real estate agent Belle Parker to get involved, calling for donations of food, blankets and dog food to deliver to that site and others.

Last week, as rain poured down, she organised a load of wood.

Ms Parker said as a real estate agent she had seen first hand the impacts of Hobart’s housing crisis.

“I see a lot,” Ms Parker said. “My personal office is right next door to reception. I hear these poor people who come in hourly.

“You hear the hard luck stories, you hear they’re living in shelters or caravans or tents or cars in people’s yards.

“Bad things do happen to good people, it’s just bad circumstances.”

Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said the council had been talking to people living at the former Berrie- dale Caravan Park.

“Unfortunately, we do intend to serve them with a notice to vacate as we need to maintain the area as a safe place for people to use as a reserve and also to ensure the safety of this particular group,” she said. “The site has no amenities and all services have been disconnected. “We have connected the group with support services in an endeavour to obtain alternative accommodation.” Donations can be made to the Roberts Real Estate office in Glenorchy at 338 Main Rd.