Bulldozers move in on Parkwood couple but the Faulkners refuse to leave over light rail plans

A COUPLE who have had their “dream home” gazetted by the State Government intend to stay put despite the arrival of heavy machinery for light rail works.

Noel and Sherrell Faulkner are refusing to leave their Parkwood home at machinery arrives for light rail stage two works.

A COUPLE who have had their “dream home” gazetted by the State Government for light rail works intend to stay put despite heavy machinery being camped outside their front door.

Noel Faulkner and his wife Sherrell had until Monday to leave their Parkwood home before the Government would consider kicking them out.

The Faulkners said the Government was offering a total package of $975,000 to cover the property buy-up and relocation expenses, but felt $1.3 million was a truer cost.

“They have asked us to provide detail accounts of what we are asking for, but they won’t tell us how they come up with their figures,” Mr Faulkner said.

“We’ve got nothing saved really (to pay for a move). We have the old mobile home, so that’s one option, and my son, he has the caravan.”

The couple have two large storage sheds on their acreage property and initial inquiries reveal it will cost at least $25,000 to pack and store their belongings for six months.

They say the government estimated it would cost about $4000 to move their furnishings and belongings.

Friends told the Bulletin the Government had been “intimidating” the couple by parking heavy machinery near the property late last week.

Mr Faulkner said he understood some of the machinery was required so workers could conduct drilling tests prior to rock blasting. “They have been scratching around here,” he said.

A Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the Faulkner’s Uplands Drive property was identified as a full-take requirement to accommodate construction works and a proposed Traction Power Station for the light rail.

Parkwood resident Noel Faulkner was in the Gold Coast University Hospital undergoing surgery when he learned the State Government had gazetted his home for light rail works.

“The property is extremely close to a construction zone where a significant amount of rock cutting is required. A number of options were offered to the Faulkners before gazettal which is the final step in acquiring a property,” the spokesman said.

The Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 alignment had direct impact on 10 properties, of which nine have been acquired. Those homes were vacated by April 26.

Mr Faulkner said he had obtained settlements for some of those properties which showed the owners had received, based on a square metre rate, three times more than the offer made to his family.

“They have paid $400,000 for one side of a duplex in Greenacre Drive. It doesn’t seem right. Some people are getting a fairly good deal and we are down at the bottom,” he said.

The acreage home sits on a ridge above southbound traffic on Smith Street providing the family with views of Surfers Paradise.

Negotiators for the family asked the Government to stop gazettal only for Mr Faulkner to learn the Transport Department had acquired his home while he underwent emergency surgery in hospital.

Noel and Sherrell Faulkner are refusing to leave their Parkwood home at machinery arrives for light rail stage two works. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I expect they will be sending us a letter saying we should be out. They will say “we will be getting the sheriff out and you will pay the cost”,” Mr Faulkner said.

“They still haven’t paid me for it. I’m still paying the mortgage. I can’t see how they can say they own it.”