Government to assist Geraldton caravan park residents relocate to new home

9/11/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle announced today that long-term residents of the Separation Point Caravan Park, affected by the construction of the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor, would be offered financial assistance to relocate to an alternate park.
Approximately a third of the park is affected by the corridor project. It was not considered to be commercially viable to continue the business at that location.
"After long lengthy discussion with the City of Geraldton and the proprietors of the park, it was agreed that the best option was for the park to be purchased and closed," Mr Criddle said.
He said the City of Geraldton intended to develop an alternative caravan park, located around 550m east of the existing Separation Point Caravan Park.
"To ensure that residents have ample time to plan their move, the Separation Point Caravan Park will be kept open until at least December 2001 and the timing for relocation will be developed in consultation with the City of Geraldton," the Minister said.
"We have been looking at ways to reduce the impacts on the community, and this includes this very important program to assist long-term residents likely to be affected."
Mr Criddle said that in August this year Cabinet had endorsed changes to the vesting of land reserves required for the Southern Transport Corridor, which paved the way for the development of an alternative caravan park.
"We recently completed negotiations with the proprietors of the Separation Point Caravan Park, and we are now in a position to open discussions with individual residents regarding their relocation,' he said.
"Long-term residents who own a caravan or park home, purchased or established prior to June 30 1999, will be offered financial assistance to relocate, reducing any financial burden and any emotional stress caused by the move.
"Main Roads has appointed a property negotiator to co-ordinate the resident relocations and has contacted all of the affected long-term residents of the park.
"We will now meet with each of the them individually to discuss their future occupancy plans and the financial assistance being offered for relocation."
Progress on the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor Project is continuing, with offers being made on 13 properties along the proposed route, and assessment of the environmental impacts being discussed with the Department of Environmental Protection.
Media contact: Doug Cunningham (08) 9321 7333