Carrum level crossing removal: Couples and their deposits left in limbo

AFTER a decade of saving, a couple put a $65,000 deposit on their first home — but a month later discovered the State Government would seize their beachfront land in Carrum.

Adriano Gonzalez and Mary-Joe Gonzalez-Garcia with baby Bruno. Picture: Wayne Taylor

AFTER a decade of saving, Mary-Joe Gonzalez-Garcia and Adrian Gonzalez put a $65,000 deposit on their first home — but a month later discovered the State Government would seize their beachfront land.

The couple is one of many who paid tens of thousands of dollars to secure a beachfront apartment in Carrum only to have their dream destroyed.

Carrum to get $50m beach promenade after skyrail built to remove three level crossings

Two months after the State Government announced it would acquire the foreshore land for level crossing removal work, off-the-plan apartment and townhouse buyers still don’t know how to get their deposits back or how they will be compensated.

In addition, they can’t look for other properties until the formal acquisition process begins.

“I thought it was a joke,” Ms Gonzalez-Garcia said. “On a Sunday afternoon they called and just said the project won’t go ahead, because Daniel Andrews is going to announce a project in Carrum. I just said, ‘are you kidding me?’”

Maralyn and Frank Palamara paid close to $100,000 to secure their beachfront home.

“Everyone is now in limbo,” Ms Palamara said.

“We can’t commit to other properties, can’t get our money back. I don’t think there are any winners in this whole town.”

The government will use the land for its $50 million beach promenade plan as part of the level crossing removal project.

Despite meeting the LXRA, Ms Gonzalez-Garcia said she’d been left in the dark and felt frustrated at having to wait months for the formal acquisition process to start.

LXRA project director Adam Maguire said the authority would reimburse “reasonable costs” of professional legal and valuation advice.

He said the formal process wouldn’t begin until planning approvals had been sought but construction was due to begin in early 2018.

Independent government valuers will decide a compensation offer based on the market value at the date of acquisition.

Labor Member for Carrum Sonia Kilkenny said she would do everything she could to help and support affected residents through this.

“And I will also make sure that the Level Crossing Removal Authority works closely with all those affected to ensure they are treated fairly and with the utmost respect and compassion as we deliver this massive project for Carrum,” she said..

However, Richard Rose, an agent for Jellis Craig, which was selling the apartments, said the “unknown factor” was unfair.

“I can’t tell these buyers when they’re getting their deposit back because everything is now on hold,” Mr Rose said.