Elderly residents of Talbot Estate, Rockhampton face homelessness

Three women who are residents of a low-cost housing estate in Rockhampton have been given Notices to Leave their homes without explanation and have nowhere to go.

Barbara Williams with her dog Colin at the front of her home at Talbot Estate.

Three elderly women are facing homelessness after their leases were not renewed without explanation at their aged-pension housing in Rockhampton.

The women are residents of Talbot Estate, an independent not-for-profit organisation that offers low-cost housing for those relying solely on the aged pension.

The estate, located in Wandal, was founded in the 1960s and has 77 dwellings with 96 tenants.

Former Australian Federal Police counter terrorism officer Barbara Williams, 78, moved into a home at Talbot Estate a few years ago.

The lounge room of Barbara Williams' small one-bedroom home.

On April 26, Ms Williams received a letter in the mail from Swanwick Murray Roche Lawyers with a Notice to Leave, on behalf of the Management Board of Talbot Estate.

Ms Williams’ 12 month lease was due to expire on June 30 and under the Act, no reasons are legally required to be given as to why her lease is not being renewed.

Two other female residents are understood to have been issued the same notice.

A meeting was held with the Talbot Estate board on May 8 however members of the board did not respond to questions about why the leases were not being renewed.

“We’re all in our 70s, all in the same boat, nowhere to go,” Ms Williams said.

“I’ve never not paid my rent, I’ve put in grass when I came here at my own expense and an air conditioner.

The kitchen of the Talbot Estate home.

“I look after the house, I look after the yard, not annoying the neighbours, not playing loud music, not having parties.”

Ms Williams was a first response officer in counter terrorism for the AFP in Canberra.

She was badly injured on the job and underwent brainstem surgery and now has post-traumatic stress disorder as a result.

While she was medically retired, she does not receive any compensation as is it not required after the age of 65, and her only source of income is the aged pension.

Her small, modest one-bedroom cottage is $165 in rent a week, which she says she pays in advance every week.

Talbot Estate, Wandal.

Over the past two weeks she has looked at countless relocation options, but has come up short.

“I don’t know what I am going to do, I’ve investigated lots of places but everything comes back negative,” she said.

“I am barely making it now, there’s nothing I can afford.

“I’ve got nowhere to go, I don’t want to live in close quarters with people, it’s been horrific to deal with, I’ve got PTSD.

“My children are living overseas, I don’t have family to support me … it’s just my dog.”

As a result of her injuries, Ms Williams has an assistance dog, a Labradoodle named Colin, who is professionally trained and certified.

She has also been the victim of a number of dog attacks while out walking him.

Just last week dogs viciously came up to the doors and windows of her car when she had Colin inside.

“I thought I could camp (in her car) but I can’t because I can’t protect him,” she said.

“I’m traumatised and anxious about him.

“My heartbreak is, he doesn’t deserve this, he didn’t ask for this job.

“It’s affecting him because he won’t eat when I am really upset, he just paces and tries to soothe me.”

The Talbot Estate Inc. board was contacted for comment over the situation by The Morning Bulletin.

The response received did not address why the women have not had their leases renewed.

Homes in Talbot Estate.

“Talbot Estate is an independent not-for-profit organisation and provides low-cost housing for individuals and couples who are capable of independent living but rely exclusively upon the aged pension as their only source of income,” Talbot Estate Inc. president Graeme Brady said.

“We have a particular focus on operating the estate in a peaceful, safe and comfortable manner for the continued benefit of all tenants.

“We do not receive any regular outside funding for our operations and are reliant on rental income and donations.

“Tenants are provided fixed term, 12 month tenancy agreements.

“Like any other private landlord, the estate is governed by the provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act.

“The estate has at all times been operated in a manner consistent with this Act.”