Seaford Beach Cabin Park

[Noel Tudball]

Seaford Beach Cabin Park - 254-258 Nepean Hwy Seaford

Seaford Beach Cabin Park.jpg (203.27 KiB) Viewed 31397 times

UPDATE, June, 2016:
The 10-year lease has now been signed by FCC and is effective at last.
This gives residents - and the owner - the remaining 9 years of certain tenure.
Yes, we also wonder what happens at the end of the 10 years - how do a further 20 years sound?

Thanks go to FCC for reversing their long-held intentions to close the Park.
That original approach was presumably in response to:

• calls from local residents and Police that the Park was a problem area - the current owner saw an end to those problems
• a perceived need for more public parking in the area

Thanks also to:

• the owner
• the residents for their tenacity and patience
• the Joint Working Group (now known as SHAC) for holding the public meeting to allow the residents and owner to outline their views

(Click on photo to view & close)

SHAC meeting

Homelessness Group meeting.jpg (46.76 KiB) Viewed 30817 times

SBCP Thank you Card3.jpg (86.5 KiB) Viewed 31135 times

SBCP Thank you Card2.jpg (52.75 KiB) Viewed 31131 times

SBCP Thank you Card1.jpg (99.86 KiB) Viewed 31135 times

Petition to save the Seaford Beach Cabin Park http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-seaford-cabin-park.html
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/savetheseafordcabinpark

The SCC is participating in a Joint Working Group started by the St Anne's Church (Seaford) Social Justice Group to retain the Park.
Here is our position Paper Position Paper - SBCP & Homelessness in Frankston - Joint Working Group on Homelessness

====================

Media coverage:

April 6, 2015
Cabin park deal ‘close’ despite reservations
http://baysidenews.com.au/2015/04/06/cabin-park-deal-close-despite-reservations/

February 2, 2015
Cabin Park Upgrades on the Table
http://baysidenews.com.au/2015/02/02/cabin-park-upgrades-on-the-table/
Google Drive version Cabin Park Upgrades on the Table

January 12, 2015
Compromise on Cabin Park Lease
http://baysidenews.com.au/2015/01/12/compromise-on-cabin-park-lease/
Google Drive version Compromise on Cabin Park Lease

January 5, 2015
Frankston Council drops plans to take over Seaford Beach Cabin Park
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bayside/frankston-council-drops-plans-to-take-over-seaford-beach-cabin-park/story-fngnvli9-1227172767296?nk=440ed3865a2063e429df817944af2727
Google Drive version Frankston Council drops plans to take over Seaford Beach Cabin Park

December 24, 2014
Council offers new lease to Seaford Beach Cabin Park owner
FCC website - http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Media_and_Publications/Latest_News/Council_offers_new_lease_to_Seaford_Beach_Cabin_Park_owner
Google Drive version Council offers new lease to Seaford Beach Cabin Park owner

December 22, 2014
No End in Sight - http://issuu.com/frankstontimes/docs/ft_current/15
Google Drive version No End in Sight

December 3, 2014
Eviction fear looms again at cabin park
http://baysidenews.com.au/2014/12/03/eviction-fear-looms-again-at-cabin-park/
Google Drive version Eviction fear looms again at cabin park

November 21, 2014
Seaford Beach Cabin Park Residents to Protest in Bid to Save Homes
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bayside/seaford-beach-cabin-park-residents-to-protest-in-bid-to-save-homes/story-fngnvli9-1227129730471?nk=176375dbd55eaa8e23489f1b28a5735a/
Google Drive version Seaford Beach Cabin Park Residents to Protest in Bid to Save Homes

September 23, 2014
Community groups urge Frankston Council not to force Seaford Beach Cabin Park residents out of their homes
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bayside/community-groups-urge-frankston-council-not-to-force-seaford-beach-cabin-park-residents-out-of-their-homes/story-fngnvli9-1227066246899
Google Drive version Community groups urge Frankston Council not to force Seaford Beach Cabin Park residents out of their homes

June 23, 2014
Homeless Need a Safe Haven
http://baysidenews.com.au/2014/06/23/homeless-need-a-safe-haven/
Google Drive version Homeless Need a Safe Haven

May 19, 2014
Residents of Seaford Beach Cabin Park no longer face imminent eviction but will still be forced to find new accommodation
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bayside/residents-of-seaford-beach-cabin-park-no-longer-face-imminent-eviction-but-will-still-be-forced-to-find-new-accommodation/story-fngnvli9-1226922728949
Google Drive version Residents of Seaford Beach Cabin Park no longer face imminent eviction

May 5, 2014
Seaford Beach Cabin Park residents fear losing their homes as Frankston Council plans to build a carpark
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/bayside/seaford-beach-cabin-park-residents-fear-losing-their-homes-as-frankston-council-plans-to-build-a-carpark/story-fngnvli9-1226903434295
Google Drive version Seaford Beach Cabin Park residents fear losing their homes - for a carpark

February, 11, 2013
Apartments for Seaford cabin park rejected
http://www.frankstonweekly.com.au/story/1288989/apartments-for-seaford-cabin-park-rejected/?src=rss
Google Drive version Apartments for Seaford cabin park rejected

Background:
December 2012
Seaford development shocks residents
http://mayday-senews.weebly.com/seaford-cabin-park.html
Google Drive version Seaford development shocks residents




_____________________________

Facebook/Forum/News: http://www.seafordcc.org/SHAC
Email - SHAC3198@gmail.com

Solidarity with homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

Coalition Members:

• St. Anne’s Parish Social Justice Group
• Seaford Community Committee
• St Vincent de Paul Mt Eliza Conference Social Justice Group
• Residents of the Seaford Beach Cabin Park

[Noel Tudball]

The joint Working Group on “Homelessness” formed by the Seaford Community Committee and the St. Anne’s Parish Social Justice Group is holding a public meeting to discuss Homelessness in Seaford and Frankston.

This meeting will concentrate on Frankston City Council's intention to close part of the Seaford Beach Cabin Park and replace it with a carpark.

Date: 27th November 2014
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Seaford Community Centre - Corner of Station and Broughton Street, Seaford
Info - http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Things_To_Do/Recreation_and_Leisure/Venues_for_Hire/Seaford_Community_Centre
Map - https://www.google.com.au/maps/place//@-38.1034385,145.1272304,20z/data=!4m5!1m2!2m1!1sSeaford+Community+Centre+victoria!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x4e55aac190a70ba5

Flyer:

27th.Nov.Homelessness.Public.Meeting.pdf

(102.88 KiB) Downloaded 1252 times

[Noel Tudball]

The meeting was considered a success, with the 55 people present hearing from Councillors, residents and the owner.

The following motion was passed:

“We urge Frankston City Council to facilitate the Seaford Beach Cabin Park remaining open in its present form as an operational cabin park and provider of low cost housing.”

[Noel Tudball]

Council offers new lease to Seaford Beach Cabin Park owner

FCC website - http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Media_and_Publications/Latest_News/Council_offers_new_lease_to_Seaford_Beach_Cabin_Park_owner
Google Drive version - Council offers new lease to Seaford Beach Cabin Park owner

After our November public meeting, Frankston Council decided unanimously to reverse its long-held position (some 20 years apparently) regarding resumption of the Crown land portion of the SBCP for a car-park.

Council has instead decided to negotiate with the owner for a new 5 year lease, with another 5 year lease to follow if desired.

We have not yet seen the Council resolution (it was held in Closed Council) - this will be sent to us soon.

The Council and the owner will meet in mid January to negotiate the lease. The Council proposes that the lease would include conditions regarding improvements to the site and cabins, and increases in rent for the Crown land.

Both Council and the owner attribute this sudden turn-around to our public meeting in late November. They are both happy with this new direction.

The owner apparently has some money set aside for improvements, but is concerned that the conditions should not require too great an investment all at once. This would require borrowing, with interest costs (only - no profit) having to be passed on to the residents. The Council advises that its intention is to retain the SBCP for low-income accommodation, so hopefully this prospect will not arise. Our view on what is reasonable is likely to be noted, and might be sought.

If possible, we don't want to have to replay this scenario in 10 years time. Council's Planning Scheme and its 2013 Housing Strategy require Council to address the issues of 'affordable' housing and 'crisis' housing, and envisage Council exploring new roles for itself in social housing, in consultation with social housing providers and private enterprise. Given the professed good-will of both parties, we believe that there might be an opportunity now to lock-in / consolidate some permanent social housing outcome that will give existing residents (some of whom are elderly) surety beyond 10 years, and also help to address the critical and worsening shortage of both low-income and crisis accommodation in Frankston. We have arranged to meet Council officers in early January to discuss this and other general issues.

The cabin park residents have been fighting this issue for years. Also, that their powerful talks and testimonies at the public meeting were likely pivotal in changing Council's position. We know that two of the three councillors in attendance were seeking a change the morning after the meeting.

Also, the background statement of the residents' petition - 'Save the Seaford Beach Cabin Park’ - concludes by asking Council to "think ahead regarding housing and homelessness, to see the great need we have for low cost housing in this area …". At our Working Group meeting in December, the residents supported the proposal to make SBCP part of a permanent strategy for social housing in Frankston.

So, in fact we have been supporting the residents’ campaign. Congratulations to them.

Congratulations also to the local media who have supported the residents over a long period.

So far so good. Well done everyone and thank you, Frankston City Council.

A special Thank You also goes to former State MP, Donna Bauer, who spent many hours in meetings with the cabin park owners and residents, FCC and Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) in an effort to reach a sensible outcome.

Have a great 2015.


On behalf of the Joint Working Group on Homelessness

David Moloney
Chairman,
St Anne’s Parish Social Justice Group

and

Noel M Tudball
Chairman,
Seaford Community Committee

[Noel Tudball]

Petition to save the Seaford Beach Cabin Park - http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-the-seaford-cabin-park.html

[Noel Tudball]

Members of the Joint Working Group on Homelessness (SCC and St Anne's Church) were invited to attend a recent meeting (probably the first of many) between the owner and FCC to discuss conditions of the new lease for the ongoing use of the Cabin Park.

As independent observers, we can see a real opportunity for a win for residents, FCC and the owner - and have said as much.

A 10 year lease is great - 20 would be better - real certainty for all parties, especially the residents. Some Crown Land has been leased to others for 65 years!

It's fair to say that there have been difficult moments over the years, but if a line is drawn under those previous discussions and difficulties, this is an opportunity to move forward positively.

[Noel Tudball]

New lease conditions discussions continue.

Here's our letter to FCC containing many options for moving ahead positively.

SBCP - Letter to Mayor and Councillors Feb 2015.pdf

(178.81 KiB) Downloaded 1335 times

[Noel Tudball]

Mar 14, 2015

Here's the reply from FCC to our Feb 2015 letter.
We are considering our next actions.

SBCP - FCC Reply to St Anne's - SCC Homelessness Group.pdf

(375.75 KiB) Downloaded 1328 times

[Noel Tudball]

April 13 2015 - New lease conditions discussions continue - we’re monitoring and have offered to get involved again if necessary.

[Noel Tudball]

May 2015 - New lease conditions discussions continue - we’re monitoring and have offered to get involved again if necessary.

[Noel Tudball]

A recent News article regarding the lease that has been signed by the owner, but not FCC.

"Council ‘silence’ on cabin park lease"

(Click on image to view & close)

Council ‘silence’ on cabin park lease.jpg (477.56 KiB) Viewed 27958 times

Source:
http://baysidenews.com.au/2016/02/01/co ... ark-lease/

[Noel Tudball]

The 10-year lease has now been signed by FCC and is effective at last.
This gives residents - and the owner - the remaining 9 years of certain tenure.

[Noel Tudball]

Question With Notice: FCC Meeting, Tuesday 13 March 2018 at 7pm

SHAC has submitted a Question With Notice for the CEO’s response at next Tuesday’s Frankston City Council’s (FCC) meeting. Interested people may like to attend to show your support and hear the answer first-hand.

The meeting to hear the answer will be on Tuesday 13 March 2018 at 7pm - http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Council_and_Committee_Meetings/Council_Agendas_and_Minutes_2018
The meeting is also streamed (video) live via: http://www.frankston.vic.gov.au/Your_Council/Council_and_Committee_Meetings/Council_Agendas_and_Minutes_2018/Live_Streaming_of_Council_Meeting_OM3_13_March_2018.

Please see the question below which explains the background to our asking the question.

​The question posed:
Intro:
​At Council's Community Briefing on its Advocacy Strategy on Wednesday 28 February 2018, the CEO was asked a question on Council's Homelessness Strategy and specifically its arrangements with the Seaford Beach Cabin Park (SBCP).

(The Cabin Park provides 70 units of accommodation and at a time when crisis housing is in such high demand, it offers a worthy alternative to the large numbers of rooming houses in Frankston.)

The CEO appeared to say that Council would not require the Park to close at the end of the lease.

SHAC would be very pleased if that was correct, but our understanding is that:

1. the lease will not be reissued more than once, and
2. that it includes a specific 'wind-down' phase requiring all cabins and their tenants to be moved from the leased land by the end of the lease

Question:
Could Council please confirm tonight that:

1. Council is supportive of the SBCP’s role in assisting the homelessness issues in Frankston and want it to remain open and specifically,
2. will it allow the Council-managed Crown land portion of the cabin park to continue to be used as a cabin park at the conclusion of the current lease agreement?

_____________________________

Facebook/Forum/News: http://www.seafordcc.org/SHAC
Email - SHAC3198@gmail.com

Solidarity with homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

Coalition Members:

• St. Anne’s Parish Social Justice Group
• Seaford Community Committee
• St Vincent de Paul Mt Eliza Conference Social Justice Group
• Residents of the Seaford Beach Cabin Park

[Noel Tudball]

Following the question being read and answered at the Council meeting:

We would like to thank the CEO, Mayor, Councillors and Officers for this pleasing response. The residents will be informed.

(There was a little confusion as to who had asked the question, but discretion was shown and the question and answer were read.)

In summary:

1. "SBCP is the tenant to 31 March 2020 + 5 years lease extension
2. FCC supports SBCP and will make its decision when the lease is due, but is most likely to enter negotiations to renew the lease"

_____________________________

Facebook/Forum/News: http://www.seafordcc.org/SHAC
Email - SHAC3198@gmail.com

Solidarity with homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

Coalition Members:

• St. Anne’s Parish Social Justice Group
• Seaford Community Committee
• St Vincent de Paul Mt Eliza Conference Social Justice Group
• Residents of the Seaford Beach Cabin Park