Seaford Beach Cabin Park

[Noel Tudball]

[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

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[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

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[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

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[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 55031 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]

[Noel Tudball]