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A short introduction to the NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal

NCAT
Anyone who lives in a land lease community who has been concerned about something, or has had a dispute with the operator will, at some point have been advised that they can go to the Tribunal. This is good advice but what is the Tribunal and what is involved if you go there?
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Christina Steel: A hard working advocate

Christina
Resident advocate Christina Steel recently retired from her role with Port Stephens Park Residents Association (PSPRA) and the Residential Parks Forum. Christina was a hard working, passionate and skilled advocate who assisted hundreds of residents in negotiations with operators and at the Tribunal.
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This is my community

Mary
Mary has lived in the same residential park (land lease community) for 29 years. She is an active resident advocate and passionate about the lifestyle. We asked Mary to share some of her experiences with us.
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The end of the road?

Community education
Sadly the Tenants’ Union (TU) community education project came to an end in June 2016. During the project we visited 107 land lease communities throughout the state. We also published and distributed 10,000 copies of our newsletter Outasite. That’s about one for every 3.5 residents!
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The Act: One year on

Gateway Lifestyle Stanhope Gardens
Yes it really has been a year since the law changed and residential parks became residential land lease communities, rent became site fees, residents became home owners and park managers became operators. In the lead up to the change the then Fair Trading Minister The Hon Anthony Roberts said there was no question the Government needed to “protect vulnerable residents and support a viable industry” and that the new law would be “balanced and fair.” So, has the Act delivered? Let’s take a look at some of the impacts so far.
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Growing community in a tenant-run garden

Todd and Bent Street tenants
The public housing tenants at Todd and Bent Street have been working hard to create a vibrant community and a luscious community garden. Thanks to their love and care, a permaculture garden now thrives in an area which used to be neglected. We spoke to some of the residents and asked them about the garden and their experiences as tenants.
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Life begins at 40!

Julie Foreman
Julie Foreman, Tenants' Union of NSW Executive Officer reflects on the TU's 40 years of working for tenants rights and housing justice. She introduces a compilation of stories which celebrate the achievements of that hard work and also take a clear-eyed view of what still needs to be done.
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Renters in parliament

Jenny Leong MP, Shayne Mallard MLC, Julie Foreman TU Executive Officer, and Tania Mihailuk MP, cutting the cake at the launch of the TU 40th celebrations
At the launch of the Tenants' Union 40th anniversary celebrations at the Northcott estate in Surry Hills in February 2016, we asked the three Members of Parliament who attended about their experience renting in Sydney. The MPs were Jenny Leong (Member for Newtown), Shayne Mallard (Member of the NSW Legislative Council) and Tania Mihailuk (Member for Bankstown). See what they had to say in this 3 minute video and article.

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Home and health

Carol
Carol Carter is an Aboriginal woman living in public housing in Bankstown in Sydney. In September 2014, Carol received a letter from the Department of Housing in relation to relocating her to another house because of redevelopment happening at the place she currently lives. Carol has lived at her current home for over 14 years. Carol has been receiving help from Greater Sydney Aboriginal Tenants Service (GSATS).
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A flood, repairs, and an attempted eviction

Geoff Mansfield
My family and I had been living in our place for three years. It wasn’t a a bad property – there’s a nice view over Budgewoi Lake (although the lake can get a bit smelly!). Then there was a flash flood and our yard was flooded. We were without power for eight days and there was damage to the house too. The water rose up a fair way and the back fence came down. This meant that the back of our property was open to the lake.
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