Van owner Lesley Harvey became aware of the major redevelopment about two years ago, when Kiama Council released the draft masterplan.

“At that time, a plan of the redevelopment was circulated indicating a large number of existing onsite vans needed to be removed,” she said.

“The draft plan was then quickly withdrawn.

“Since then there has been inaction by council and they remain unable to indicate which owners will be evicted under any new plan or what onsite vans may remain.”

Mrs Harvey said the inaction and uncertainty by council had caused a collapse in the value of the onsite vans on the northern side.

“Owners of onsite vans now struggle to find a buyer for their vans willing to pay more than a fraction of the van’s normal value,” she said.

“Kiama Council however, still requires full suite fees and insurance, which is approximately $6,000 a year, to be paid.

“Due to the incompetence of the council prematurely releasing the original draft plans, withdrawing it and then failing to pursue it in a timely manner, the market for the vans has collapsed and turnover has almost stopped.

“The south side sellers, however, are unaffected.”

Mrs Harvey said she knew of some owners who had sold their vans at fire sale prices out of sheer desperation.

“For example, a van purchased six years ago for $20,000 would normally sell for about $30,000 today but on the north side of the park it now struggles to obtain a price of $8,000,” she explained.

“Van owners are trapped and the council is indifferent to their plight.”

Mrs Harvery described the plan as “too expensive, grandiose and impractical”.

“It was unsafe for the hoards of young children who enjoy the park, because of poor traffic flow design,” she said.

“The design was also going to cost rate payers a fortune, yet reduce the profitability of the park.

“The government policy behind the the redevelopment plan was to free up public van parks so as to increase access by more members of the public. The council’s mishandling has had the opposite effect, with people stuck in their vans they don’t want or can no longer afford and people wanting to buy are afraid to.” 

Mrs Harvey said she and fellow van owners wanted Kiama Council to expedite their decision with regard to the north side of the park.

“We want community consultation prior to the plan development,” she said.

“Also, we would like them to provide a moratorium with regards to fees until the plan is approved and all those in the park are made aware of the decision.”

A Kiama Council spokesperson said consultants were in the process of addressing a range of issues including improving site security, roads, car parks, footpaths and amenities and any proposed changes at Werri Beach were not expected to occur until 2020.

“The masterplan was developed to ensure their long-term financial sustainability, increase the number of short-term visitors, upgrade accommodation, facilities and other infrastructure, and improve disability access,” the spokesperson said.

“Consultants have since been developing more detailed business development strategies and masterplans for each park.”

The strategies and masterplans will be provided to an advisory committee, before being formally considered by council.

“Kiama Harbour Cabins, Surf Beach Holiday Park and Kendall’s on the Beach Holiday Park now have strategies and masterplans in place,” the spokesperson said.

“The document will be reviewed by the advisory committee in March, before being considered by councillors. This will be followed by stakeholder consultation.”