By Matthew Sims
What was Dirk Ottley’s home has become a barely usable shelter after a tree suddenly fell on it earlier this month.
The 60-year-old has been living in his 2004 Kia Pregio for the past eight years and can be found at a car park at The Warmies fishing area.
However, at about 3.15pm on Friday, February 3, windy conditions caused a part of a tree to fall on Mr Ottley’s van, crushing the windscreen and causing major structural damage.
Fire Rescue Victoria, police, State Emergency Service and ambulance attended the scene, while Hobsons Bay council and an arborist also visited the scene to clean up the damage.
Mr Ottley said he believes the tree was extensively damaged due to termites.
Altona North resident and Mr Ottley’s friend Valerian Vincent said he believes the council should have removed the tree a long time ago.
“The council breached their duty of care,” he said.
“His home has been destroyed.
“He can’t go anywhere.”
Mr Ottley said the incident had taken his freedom away.
“It’s absolutely stopped it,” he said.
Mr Ottley said he had welcomed donations of food and other goods from about 30 visitors since the incident.
A Hobsons Bay council spokesperson said council received an incident notification form on Wednesday, February 8.
“We are now following the standard process so the claim can be independently assessed,” the spokesperson said.
“Council offered to provide temporary emergency accommodation, as part of our emergency relief protocol, but Mr Ottley declined the offer.”
Mr Ottley said he was seeking more clarification on how he could be compensated to replace his van.
“Where the van goes, I go,” he said.
Mr Vincent has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Mr Ottley, with more than $500 raised towards its $15,000 goal at the time of publication.
Details: www.gofundme.com/f/help-dirk-hes-lost-his-home
