Former cabin owners at Werri Beach Holiday Park are infuriated to learn development delays mean they have missed out on years of family holidays.
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Van owner Lesley Harvey became aware of the major redevelopment about 2016, when Kiama Council released the draft masterplan.
It was then taken down, leaving owners in limbo.
In 2019 van owners on the northern side of the park were given a deadline to sell their vans to make way for a redevelopment of the council-owned land.
One owner, Lesley Harvey, says many had to give away vans that were no longer suitable to be anything onther than fixed accomodation.
"We bought ours for $20,000, spent $5000 on it and in the end we sold it for $5000," she said.
"We tried to fight it, but were unable to change [the council's] mind."
Since selling, she has watched the cleared land remain undeveloped - a process she said was infuriating.
"If the development was going to be delayed or not go ahead, why not identify those issues before telling owners to get out," she asked.
"Is this going to sit fallow for 10 years? They made a substantial income in site fees from van owners too, so they've deprived themselves of that income in the interim."
If the development was going to be delayed or not go ahead, why not identify those issues before telling owners to get out?
- Lesley Harvey
Kiama Council was approached for comment, and confirmed the development had been delayed.
"The redevelopment of Werri Beach Holiday Park has been delayed to allow a comprehensive flood risk management study to be carried out," a Kiama Council spokesperson said.
"The impact of COVID-19, as well as the major flood event at Gerringong in mid-2020, has added to this delay.
"Once the flood risk management study is complete, we will be able to develop an updated redevelopment plan for the site and an updated implementation timeline."
The spokesperson said the investigations should be complete by early 2022, and that existing van owners would have a further 12 months occupancy in the park.
The news is of cold comfort to owners who have already sold however.
"We could have enjoyed family holidays there for another couple of years," Ms Harvey said.
"Where is the accountability?"
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