Elderly tenants must leave Wonga Beach by Jan 20

Home Hunting

David Gardiner

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New owners of the holiday park formerly known as Pinnacle Village have given permanent residents until January 20 to move out and relocate their moveable homes. Picture: Daintree Beach Resort

Around 10 remaining residents at the former Pinnacle Village Holiday Park at Wonga Beach are still trying to find somewhere else to live and, in many cases, sell their moveable homes.

They have been given until January 20 to vacate and relocate their homes and other possessions – if they can’t, any homes left there will likely be demolished by January 25.

The park changed hands in October and has been renamed, ‘Daintree Beach Resort’, under a national property management group, Saltwater Hotels & Resorts, which also runs Niramaya Villas & Spa in Port Douglas.

One of the residents still on the lookout for somewhere else to live by January 25, Sharon, told Newsport she has been trying to sell her moveable van and hard annex, which she bought from a previous resident for $55,000 only about one month before she was told the park was being sold.

“There was an open lease with no end-by date,” she said. “The previous owner (of the moveable home) apologised but said they didn’t know about the sale either.”

Daintree Beach Resort’s new General Manager, Marco Gionfriddo told Newsport that the resort has been very upfront with the tenants since settlement, advising them immediately that use of the resort would be changing.

“On the 25th October 2022, we issued notices to all tenants that we will be requiring full access to the property in order for us to begin our works to create a boutique style, tourist only accommodation offering,” Mr Gionfriddo said.

He said in line in line with the state’s real estate regulations, all tenants were provided with a notice to vacate within the prescribed time frame of two months, but the new owner allowed more time.

“As a sign of good will, we contacted each of the tenants and offered an additional 30 days - as we understand the challenges involved with packing up their sites, and to leave the site as they found it when they moved into the resort.

“As of 20.12.22 - no tenants have requested additional time past the 25th January 2023 to remove their belongings from the resort.”

A Housing Department officer met with the tenants in September, and Sharon said, “they have really tried to help us, but there is just nothing around.”

Sharon said she has heard the long term sites are likely to be redeveloped into glamping accommodation or similar, and that there will no longer be any permanent or long term lots.

“As we are in the planning stages, we still have a lot of work to do with the local council in regards to our project, however as we are located on Wonga Beach, we want to offer a very unique boutique style of resort with a beach bar, food truck van, event space – all subject to Council approval – where locals and travellers can enjoy this beautiful part of Far North Queensland,” Mr Gionfroddo said.

He also said he is willing to negotiate with the tenants if they need more time.

“To date, no one has requested any assistance, other than me speaking to local real estate agents as references for the tenants, which I am more than happy to do.”

In the meantime, the newly named resort is closed for improvements over the 2022-2023 wet season and will not be taking bookings until further notice.

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