Onkaparinga Council seeking report over long-term residents at Moana Tourist Park

Long-term residents of a seaside tourist park are sweating on a council report that could see them kicked out of their homes.

Long-term residents of a caravan park in Adelaide’s south are desperately hoping they’re not going to be kicked out, as discussions begin with a council about their expiring leases.

However, Onkaparinga Council said it was seeking the best outcome for the park’s live-in residents, after a petition was submitted requesting their site licences at Moana Beach Tourist Park be renewed.

The park has 17 long-term residential sites where occupants licence the land their home is on from council, but own their individual dwellings.

Long-term dwellings at the Moana Beach Tourist Park. Pic: Onkaparinga Council

Residents pay between $119 and $125 per week for the site and are not required to pay council rates.

All current long-term site licences for the park are set to expire on December 31, 2024, leaving the residents concerned about the future of their agreements and many of their homes they have put “significant investments” into.

“We believe that Moana Tourist Park is a unique and vibrant community that greatly contributes to the overall cultural and social fabric of the Onkaparinga Council area,” the petition reads.

“It has been home to many of us for varying durations, and it is a place where we have established out lives, built relationships, and formed a close-knit community.

“It is our collective belief that allowing the renewal of site licences for all current residents will be in the best interest of this community and the council as a whole.”

A council spokesperson said council would begin individual discussions with residents regarding their needs and rights under the Residential Parks Act 2007.

“Council will work with the residents of these sites in relation to their ongoing tenure arrangements, to respond to our legislative obligations and to meet the housing needs of the residents,” the spokesperson said.

“Renewal of the long-term site licences will be considered by council early in 2024.”

A report will be prepared for council’s consideration in early 2024 to seek approval for the renewal of the licences, with the term of these renewals to be decided by council.