Brooklyn’s Half Moon Caravan Park sold for redevelopment

MORE than 70 people living at a caravan park in Melbourne’s west face homelessness when it closes early next year.

N37HT101 Sale of Half Moon Caravan Park 455 Francis Street .

MORE than 70 people living in a Brooklyn caravan park face homelessness when the park closes early next year.

The owner of the Half Moon Caravan Park on the corner of Francis St and Millers Rd, has sold the park for redevelopment as a semi-industrial site.

It will close in January.

Co-Health advocacy and partnership director Jason Rostant warned many of the park’s residents would be left with nowhere to go as they were unable to afford a private rental property.

He said residents at the park included those that had “experienced intermittent homelessness”, had mental health issues and substance abuse problems.

“A lot of people will be living there with a range of pretty complex issues in their lives,’’ Mr Rostant said.

When called, the manager of Half Moon Caravan Park said he was sympathetic to the resident’s situation.

But he said neither he nor the owner would comment further.

The long-term future of the Hobsons Bay Caravan Park in Williamstown, home to about 200 residents, is also in some doubt.

The State Government has been asked to approve the rezoning of land in Williamstown North, including the caravan park, 200m from the coast, for residential development.

The rezoning was recommended by a Government-appointed panel.

Mr Rostant said state and federal governments needed to develop a stronger focus on investment in affordable housing in the west.

Hobsons Bay Council community wellbeing director Peter Hunt said only 20 of the Half Moon Caravan Park’s 73 residents were employed.

He said the council was in discussions with the Human Services Department, housing providers and welfare services about finding park residents somewhere affordable to live.

“Some of them have been there 17 or 18 years,’’ Mr Hunt said.

Cr Sandra Wilson said the loss of more affordable accommodation was a concern.

“But they are getting support — that’s something at least.”