Picture source: The Courier Mail

Save Tenant Services congratulates the Minister for Housing, Minister Mander, on a promising outcome for residents of Monte Carlo Caravan Park.  These residents have been living in fear of the park being sold off since the middle of last year when the government announced it would sell the park.  Minister Mander now says the park will be run by a not for profit housing provider.  See below the Minister’s press release of January 22.Let’s hope there is similar news for the other two parks (Woombye Caravan Park and Lazy Acres in Torquay) which are also subject to the decision to sell made last year by the Newman government.

Win-Win for Monte Carlo Caravan Park
(Minister for Housing & Public Works, Honorable Tim Mander 22-1-13)

The   Monte Carlo Caravan Park on Brisbane’s Southside is set to remain in place   following a State Government announcement which will give a not-for-profit   housing provider the opportunity to run the facility.

The   Newman Government will invite a select group of not-for-profit housing providers to submit expressions of interest in the Cannon Hill site on the condition that it continues to operate as a caravan park.

Under the plan, the successful proponent will take possession of the site in   exchange for an agreement to build new social housing in key target areas.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander said the EOI would include respected   providers Horizon, Four Walls, Churches of Christ Care, Brisbane Housing   Company and Bric.

“This   is a win-win situation,” he said.

“Currently,   Monte Carlo Caravan Park doesn’t take people off the social housing waiting   list. This solution will ensure that we boost the supply of social housing in   areas where it’s really needed.

“Meanwhile,   residents at Monte Carlo Caravan Park can have complete peace of mind that   the park will continue to function just as it does now.”

The   new owners may elect to add additional mobile home accommodation on the site   in future, but only if it doesn’t impinge on the site’s existing function as   a caravan park.

Member   for Bulimba Aaron Dillaway said he was pleased with the outcome.

“Monte   Carlo Caravan Park is a bit of an institution in this area and I know that   some residents were a bit anxious about the plan to sell the park.

“Today   we can assure everyone that the park isn’t going anywhere.”

There   are currently more than 25,00 households on the social housing waiting list   in Queensland.