Batemans Bay: Paris Halacas and Richard Tomkins frustration with mould-ridden unit

“We’re living in hell and they don’t care” are the desperate words of a man with serious health issues who, along with his partner, have been living in a mould-ridden NSW housing unit. Find out why they are now at their wits end.

Paris Halacas and Richard Tomkins said they were “living in hell”, with their housing department unit being riddled with mould. Picture: Tom McGann.

“We’re living in hell and they don’t care” are the desperate words of a man with serious lung issues who, along with his partner, says he has lived in a mould-ridden NSW housing unit for the past four years.

Richard Tomkins, who has been diagnosed with emphysema and mental health concerns, along with his partner Paris Halacas acquired a Department of Housing unit at 214 Beach Rd, Batemans Bay through the NDIS scheme eight years ago.

Four years into living at the unit the couple says they made a shocking discovery – mould.

“We requested to be transferred from the apartment the second we saw mould, because Richard can’t breathe in spores with his emphysema,” Ms Halacas said.

Four years later, the pair remain on a waiting list to move.

Paris Halacas’ favourite suitcase was destroyed by the mould.

Cooking instruments, like this baking tray, were also not spared by the mould.

“We need a new place not just because we don’t like mould,” Ms Halacas said.

“We need a new place or this place cleaned because it’s gotten so bad, if we keep living here, [Richard] will die.”

A NSW Department of Housing spokeswoman denied reports of mould were first raised four years ago and said efforts had been made to resolve the couple’s concerns and ensure their safety.

“We take concerns about building quality extremely seriously and the health and safety of our residents is paramount,” she said.

“We were first notified of mould at the property in June 2022, which was discovered to have originated due to the exhaust fan in the bathroom not working. The exhaust fan was then replaced the following month, which we believed would rectify the issue.

“In May we were made aware of further mould issues inside the property, which we have acted upon in a thorough manner, including arranging for plumbing inspections and hygienist reports to understand the extent of the damage and risk to the tenants.

The unit at Batemans Bay. Picture: Tom McGann.

“During this time, we relocated the tenants to nearby accommodation to ensure the quality of their living standards and to attend to recommended repairs and remediation.”

The couple’s NDIS co-ordinator, Noela McKinnon described the situation as “an absolute disgrace”.

“This is a couple who both suffer mentally, they can’t get their own place, they don’t have the funds or the know-how,” she said.

Due to the major health concerns for Mr Tomkins, the NSW Housing department has moved the couple from the unit into a hotel temporarily, while they work out what to do.

“They’ve been staying at the Corrigans Cove hotel for 12 weeks now and the department hasn’t moved a finger to get them back in the unit or in a new one,” the couple’s NDIS support worker, Ken Woods said.

“This stay at the hotel is costing the department $1100 a week and with them being there 12 weeks, that’s a lot of money that could have gone toward fixing the unit.”

With all hope seeming lost, both Ms Halacas and Mr Tomkins said they were at their wits end.

“We just don’t know what to do now, I feel like no one cares about what’s happening,” Ms Halacas said. “I just don’t know how much longer we can keep pleading with the housing department to either put us in a new unit or just do what they can to clean the mould.

The spokeswoman said, however, the works to repair and remediate had been approved and were expected to begin on August 25, with the couple to remain in temporary housing until the works were completed or alternate housing is found.