Family left ‘homeless’ as Penrith Lakes dream property rezoned
WHEN Danielle and Chris Camilleri saw acreages up for sale in near Penrith three years ago, the couple jumped at the chance to secure land for the young family. Now they have been told they cannot build there.
NSW
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WHEN Danielle and Chris Camilleri saw acreages up for sale opposite Penrith Lakes three years ago, the couple jumped at the chance to build their dream home.
The Camilleris, who have two young children, went halves with their in-laws to buy a 2ha lot.
They sold their existing home and moved in with relatives to afford the property.
But eight weeks after settlement in 2016, they were “dumbfounded” to learn the State government had changed zoning of the site because of flood evacuation concerns, effectively stopping any development.
The Camilleris claim they never received any notification of the intentions to change the rezoning, which they say has now left them homeless while still having to pay “thousands of dollars” in land tax and council rates.
“When we bought the property, the contract stated that dual occupancy was allowed,” Mrs Camilleri said.
FLOOD DANGER RULING PUTS LAKES PROJECT ON HOLD
“Now its zoned the same as Penrith Lakes, meaning we can’t build.
“The plan was to build two homes, one of us and another for my sister and her fiance, but now we are homeless.”
Ms Camilleri said she had written to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, but had been informed a dual occupancy was no permissible.
After questions from The Sunday Telegraph, the Department of Planning and Environment said it “will thoroughly consider any correspondence from Mr and Mrs Camilleri and will meet with the couple if requested”.