Long-term residents of a caravan park in Geraldton, Western Australia, are facing eviction following a decision by the park’s new owners to close the site. The decision has left residents scrambling to find alternative accommodation in a region already struggling with severe housing shortages.
This article covered by ABC News and highlights the growing impact of Australia’s housing crisis on vulnerable populations. The park’s closure reflects broader challenges in the country’s rental market, where rising costs and low vacancy rates have made affordable housing increasingly inaccessible.
Residents, for their part, have expressed distress at the abrupt nature of their eviction and the limited options available to them.
Residents Given Six Months to Vacate
More than a dozen long-term residents of Drummond Cove Holiday Park, located 433 kilometres north of Perth, have been told they must vacate their homes by August 2025. The site’s operator, Wajarri Enterprises Ltd, issued the eviction notice, citing infrastructure issues and a lack of resources to maintain the park.
For Frank and Daphne Cooper, who have lived at the park for 20 years, the decision has upended their plans to remain there indefinitely. His daughter, Natasha Smith, described the situation as devastating.
“Dad’s going through cancer, mum’s had a brain tumour … this is their home,” she said.
Housing Alternatives Remain Scarce
The evictions come at a time when rental vacancy rates in Geraldton stand at just 0.9 per cent, according to data from the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA). With a shortage of affordable housing, residents are struggling to find alternative places to live.
Theresa Southam, who bought her repurposed caravan block for $30,000 three years ago, said she had been unable to find another park willing to take in semi-permanent tenants.
“I actually rang up parks yesterday but no-one’s got vacancies so I really don’t know what I’m going to do,” she stated. Adding that she was experiencing “major anxiety” over the prospect of being displaced.
Many of those affected are on pensions and lack the financial means to relocate. Daniel Spoo, a resident for eight years, lives in an old bus but cannot afford the necessary repairs and registration to move it.
“I gave all of that up because I thought I’d be here till I die and now they’re giving us an eviction notice and I don’t have money to move it,” He expressed. “I’m a pensioner. I barely make it out week to week and to save up $1,000 for vehicle registration and a licence, I can’t do it,” he added.
Legal Uncertainty Over Ownership and Rights
Several residents who purchased their cabins or plots have raised concerns about their legal rights. Elaine Morgan, an Indigenous elder who bought her cabin 18 years ago for $185,000, expressed frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding her ownership.
“We’ve done nothing to upset [Wajarri Group] and I feel for all of us here in the park,”she shared.
Some residents have stated they never received formal contracts when purchasing their homes, making it difficult to challenge the eviction legally. A state government spokesperson acknowledged the difficult situation and urged residents to seek advice from Consumer Protection WA.
Housing Crisis Disproportionately Affecting Elderly Australians
The housing crisis in Australia is increasingly affecting elderly individuals, particularly those reliant on pension payments. According to Mission Australia, there has been a 60 per cent rise in homelessness among older Australians.
Fleur Harding, Mission Australia’s Geraldton area manager, said the situation was “tragic” but not unusual.
“[The housing crisis] isn’t just being felt in Geraldton. This is not even a state or national issue, it’s a global issue.”
The park’s closure removes one of the few remaining affordable housing options in Geraldton, further exacerbating rental pressures. REIWA president Suzanne Brown warned that similar closures could worsen housing instability for low-income Australians.
Future of the Park Remains Unclear
While Wajarri Enterprises Ltd has confirmed the closure of Drummond Cove Holiday Park, it has not disclosed future plans for the site. The company’s chief executive, Ehsan Haque, stated that the decision was beyond their control due to existing infrastructure problems.
Residents continue to explore their legal options, while community advocates call for government intervention to support those affected. For now, those evicted remain uncertain about where they will go next in a market with limited affordable alternatives.
