Monica and Sam Charan’s Webb Street home is one of three properties that will be needed by the State Government to make way for a four-level car park – and they say what they’re being offered is way short of what will be needed to buy a well located and similar home.
The couple’s son, Vineh Charan, said how could the Government “kick the elderly out onto the streets” – and on top of that, they have only been given three months to make a decision.
“They have lived there since 1993 – 28 years – and it is with a sense of dark irony for us that they came to Australia from Fiji where Indo (or South Asian) Fijians are discriminated against and have very limited property rights,” he said.
“My parents came here for a better life and they have had that – until that 7.30am knock on the door when the bitter memories of marginalisation and powerlessness came rushing back.”
The couple said this was the community in which they chose to live and they never expected to be forced out.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said three residential properties needed to be acquired for this project and it was liaising directly with the owners and tenants.
“We understand that acquiring property can be stressful on the affected property owners, which is why we assign dedicated personnel to ensure that the property owners and tenants have access to the information and support services they may need throughout the process,” he said.
Transport for NSW says it will endeavour to reach an agreement with owners and compulsory acquisition would only occur if a mutual agreement cannot be reached.
Construction is expected to start later this year and be completed by the end of 2022.
