A notice from Mosgiel Caravan Park operator and lease owner Paul Brooks was circulated among occupants this week, outlining the need to clear plants, ornaments, and other items from around campsites by Monday.
One resident was fighting the issue, saying the park was her home and she was concerned she would be evicted if she did not remove her possessions.
But the owner of the park said it was simply to allow geotechnical testing to take place, and it was "a storm in a teacup".
It follows a long period of uncertainty for the residents, some of whom have lived there for years, over the potential impact of the new Mosgiel swimming pool.
The council’s preferred site for the new pool was next to the old pool and the caravan park.
Geotechnical testing would soon begin at the caravan park.
"I’m absolutely devastated," she said of the call to remove personal items.
"My health is really bad and this [gardening] is like my therapy, it’s what keeps me going and makes it my home. It’s that simple to me."
She said if she had to leave the park, she had nowhere to go.
"There aren’t other options in Dunedin, they’re either full or they don’t take permanents. If there were all these other options, this wouldn’t be an issue."
But Mr Brooks said the issue had been blown out of proportion.
He wanted the sites tidied up, but said he had not threatened anyone with eviction.
He acknowledged he had "turned a bit of a blind eye" to items in the past.
"But it’s got out of hand and we need to clear up. I don’t think it’s an unfair demand."
He said he was still in the dark about the future of the park in relation to the new pool.
Council parks and recreation group manager Robert West said the preferred site for the new pool was next to the current site.
"Council is about to begin geotechnical testing, which will allow us to finally confirm the viability of the site," he said.
"We understand this may be an unsettling time for caravan park tenants."
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Comments
As if our current housing shortage wasn't enough for people to worry about. Goodness sakes, can we not let people be? Rules and regulations up to the wazoo, and officials who can't do their jobs very well. Have some compassion, walk a mile in another persons shoes.
Its a bit late Mr Brooks to use that line, an other way would be when you inspect the sites ( suspect you do) , have a check off list on what is there for each tenant ,if something is not suitable address it at that time. otherwise let it go. Another solution might be to ask them to have a general tidy up catalogue all sites for what is there, draw a line in the sand and say from this date these are allowed, anything else needs approval. Lack of leadership me things as soon as you let things creep in you can't then say oh you can't do that, good leadership addresses it at the time and nips it in the but there and then.- not hard Mr Brooks