Another piece of Australian land, snapped up by investors
HEARTBROKEN site holders of the ‘Mansfield Lakeside Ski Village’ near Lake Eildon are coming forward in droves to share their devastating stories after recent eviction notices were handed out in a ‘blind side move’ from new owners ‘Wallace Land Holdings’ on July 1.
Their beloved 15-acre holiday village and the place they call their ‘second home’ is set to be turned into a residential village after the next financial year. This devastating news is leaving all owners no option but to sell up, relocate or just simply lock their doors and drive away from their dwellings.
Questions however, remain for so many. Their options seem small and although the group are forming a legal fight, many are left wondering how the new terms and increased fees can even be legally possible under the circumstances.
Site holder, Lauren Brett said she is feeling devastated not only for her own family but for all the families in the park.
“Some families have been in the park for years and some have recently purchased and are now going to lose everything. It has been a roller coaster of emotions, but I am prepared to stand up and fight on behalf of all site holders against Wallace Land Holdings,” said Lauren.
“The company has done nothing but bully us with their unreasonable and unethical approach to the parks closure,” she added.
Cabin 213 is owned by Frank Filippone. He built his three-bedroom, self-contained structure twelve years ago and said he was feeling extremely sad.
“I have raised my two boys here. This was meant to be our forever holiday home. All our hard work and dreams are out the window,” said Frank.
“I am sad, my kids are sad, and we are going to miss this place so much. This is a major financial blow, and we can’t afford to relocate. I feel broken,” he added.
Richard McMahon has been doing upgrades to his cabin over the past twelve months with the help of his mate Darren Fellows, who is also another site holder.
“I had to stop the decking work. No point finishing it and I might as well see what money I can get back for the timber. The deck will only be destroyed now anyway,” said Richard.
“I am angry. This all feels so un-Australian. More Australian soil snapped up by investors. Our parks are being sold off all over the country. How can they do this to us? It is so cruel. I am going to fight till the end though, for our kids and for the generations that follow,” Richard added.
Shayna Fisher and Alison Eldridge are two more site holders with questions and said they wondered how site fees could be increased if the park would potentially turn into a construction site while tenants were selling off and moving out.
“We want to enjoy our last twelve months if that’s all we have left, we don’t want to be stressing about our kids and grandkids safety while trucks and removalists and demo teams are in the park removing people’s cabins, roofs, their carports, and decking. We should get our last year free. This is a place in time where kids can be outdoors. I feel like I’m not only losing my cabin but being taken away from my park family,” said Shayna.
“I have been here for 22 years. I have raised kids and grandkids here and have watched them learn how to knee board and ride bikes. Some of the best days of my life. I’ve seen Lake Eildon bone dry, and friends here have become family. My caravan/cabin will not survive relocation, so I have no option but to lock the door and leave,” said Alison.
Janet and Andrew Homes have been tenants of the park for almost thirty years, and as I entered their friendly oasis Janet’s emotions got to her and before I could even sit with them to hear their story, she broke down with tears.
“I’m sorry,” she said, as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“We have watched this park grow as we have our children and grandchildren. I am devastated. We have made lifelong friends here and our kids have too. Nothing makes sense, everyone is hurting, and we’re all getting conflicting answers to questions from Wallace Land Holdings,” she added.
Andrew stated that they need some good representation while everyone tries to hold themselves up while running on emotions and conclusions.
“This isn’t just about the park, it’s about the whole area. For many it’s a safe environment and piece of paradise, and we all feel like we have lost our rights. The way everything has been dealt with by new investors has been very nasty and it has left a bitter taste for us all. It is morally wrong,” said Andrew.
It is noticeably clear that these people have worked extremely hard to be in the park to start with, and it honestly does feel even more unfair that so many of them can not afford the shortcomings they are now facing.
There is no doubt in my mind that I could have spent days walking around the park, talking to more tenants, hearing more stories from time. Stories which are now feeling like demolished dreams for them, and this beautiful park.
For now, the legal battle begins. Unfortunately, the overall outcome for tenants does not look good, but their true Aussie spirits are prepared to fight hard and till the end. Many tenants already feel beaten, but they do remain hopeful that legal representation will help them find a way to negotiate the terms and conditions of their remaining year.
