Goya Dmytryshchak
A kinship carer says it’s “despicable“ that “homeless and extremely vulnerable“ people at Braybrook Discovery Holiday Park were forced to leave to make way for people in COVID isolation.
The park was made available to support a number of “close contacts who have complex needs or can’t isolate in their homes or usual residence“, the Department of Health said.
Carer Daniel Patton said he was contacted by a teenage homeless couple he had been supporting and was told everyone was being kicked out of the park.
“I was a kinship carer for a teenager who has since moved into an out-of-home arrangement with their partner and was living at Discovery Park, Braybrook,“ he said.
“This is a very large and low-cost caravan and cabin park for hundreds of people.
“I was contacted by the young couple, who were panicking because they were being kicked out.
“They were advised that they would all be refunded their money.
“They were not told why.
“These people are homeless and extremely vulnerable.
“They are there not because they are on holidays but because they have nowhere else to go.“
A park spokesperson said that at the request of the health department, the park had been made available for isolation accommodation.
“As a result, a small number of guests have been displaced and have been offered full refunds or accommodation at our other properties,“ the spokesperson said.
“The property is only housing those who are required to isolate, not individuals who have tested positive who would be accommodated in a medi-hotel.
“We all need to do our part to restrict the spread of COVID and support government efforts.
“Accommodation providers all over Australia have stepped up to provide isolation accommodation for those in need.”
The department said “close contacts now at the park are being supported by a team of healthcare workers and community workers“.
