Time running out for El Lago residents

El Lago Waters Tourist Park residents at The Entrance have been given 90 days to vacate their premises but support services are gathering.

All residents are being urged to attend a meeting on November 19 to hear their legal rights.

Central Coast Council recently ordered the managers of the site to improve maintenance and to address plumbing and electrical issues.

“The Orders as written do not require the eviction of persons onsite and Council indicated to the owner of the property that we were open to working on a staged improvement plan to ensure that no persons were left homeless,” a Council spokespeson said.

But everyone who lives there has received a 90-day termination notice.

Council has a legislative responsibility to ensure that properties such as these sufficiently protect residents’ safety by ensuring that appropriate standards relating to electrical, plumbing and fire safety, waste management, vegetation management and other administrative matters are properly managed.      

 “Unfortunately, Council cannot control a property owner issuing an eviction notice to tenants, however since being made aware of the termination notices, Council staff have engaged with Homes NSW and the NSW Rental Commissioner to ensure they are aware of the situation,” the Council spokesperson said.

About 50 tenants are facing homelessness if the move is enforced and support services are worried that local services will be overwhelmed.

“It will be extremely difficult for anyone to find alternative accommodation,” a spokesperson for the Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service said.

Member for The Entrance David Mehan said both he and the Rental Commissioner had visited the site to try to make it safe for people.

Thirteen months ago, the Regional Planning Panel rejected a multi-million dollar proposal that included the site.

The developers planned 414 units in multi-storey blocks, along with 45 serviced apartments and 11 food and beverage tenancies on a site which was to extend from 9-29 and 31-33 The Entrance Rd.

Among 13 issues of concern listed as reasons for the refusal, the Panel noted the displacement of the current occupants of El Lago, mostly long-term residents.

Coast Community News has made contact with a person claiming to be the owner of El Lago but all they said in a text message was: “We can’t do anything” and they declined to be interviewed.

Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service, The Tenants Union, Coast Shelter and Legal Aid will hold a free information session for El Lago residents (both tenants and homeowners) to provide information on termination rights and what each service can offer.

All affected residents are urged to attend the meeting on November 19 at Faith in Action Ministries, 1 Tuggerah Ave, The Entrance.

The meeting starts at 11.30am.

Central Coast Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service is happy to talk to residents in the meantime: phone 02 4353 5515.

Merilyn Vale