Gold Coast couple negotiates $1m for house lost to light rail work but bank’s red tape trips them

A GOLD Coast couple forced to leave their “dream home” for light rail works after a marathon fight with the State Government have negotiated a $1 million payout.

Sherrell Faulkner when interviewed by the Bulletin about to losing their dream home at Uplands Drive Parkwood. Picture Glenn Hampson

A GOLD Coast couple forced to leave their home to make way for light rail works after a marathon fight with the State Government have negotiated a $1 million payout.

But the stressed older residents are now confronting more red tape, employing business advisers in a dispute with their bank.

In February, the Gold Coast Bulletin revealed the plight of Noel and Sherrell Faulkner after the Government offered them $840,000 for their home and $50,000 for dislocation costs for their property which cost $888,000 in 2007.

Mr Faulkner’s entire wage was being used to pay for the mortgage of their Uplands Drive, Parkwood home and they lived off the money from Mrs Faulkner’s job as a cleaner until she took time off work for stress.

Mr Faulkner yesterday confirmed a $1 million settlement had been secured with the government but their life continued “to be a misery” due to delays in paper work from the bank.

Noel and Sherrell Faulkner before they left their dream home at Uplands Drive Parkwood. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We are out of work and desperately need that money now but for the past three weeks the ANZ bank has delayed forwarding documents to the government,” Mr Faulkner said.

“That means we have been left without a penny. And while the bank delays everything, it keeps adding interest on to the mortgage I have to pay.”

The couple has moved out of their home and obtained temporary accommodation.

The property’s boundary is on the northern side of Smith Street where the light rail route from Parklands to Helensvale will cross.

Mrs Faulkner has been on medication for depression and anxiety since learning her home would not be safe due to blasting to help construct the new route for the Parklands to Helensvale line.

“Sherrell has had to move in with her mum for a while after her doctor said if she didn’t he would hospitalise her. I just don’t know where to turn,” Mr Faulkner said.

Noel and Sherrell Faulkner. Their property borders the northern side of Smith Street which will be used for the second stage light rail route. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Faulkners want their bank to agree to the settlement fee from the government being placed in a lawyer’s trust enabling the parties to determine payouts.

The ANZ bank will not comment on particular cases but a spokesman said it was “working hard

to get a resolution on this particular matter that is in our customers’ best interests as quickly as possible”.